Workplaces & Work Places

If you had come to me at the end of 2019 and told me that our current work settings would look like this, I wouldn’t have believed you. Back then, my work life involved traveling at least twice a month to meet clients in different cities – face-to-face meetings were the norm. Fast forward a few years later, workplaces have transformed. Offices that were once the epicenter of daily activity now coexist with virtual tools like Zoom and Google Meets. While some businesses have returned to the traditional 9-to-6 office model, many have embraced this flexibility, giving rise to hybrid systems where “WFH” (Work From Home) is way more common than business trips.

Adding to that, many cities around the world have opened their doors to digital nomads, simplifying residency visas and mobility for professionals from all walks of life. This wouldn’t have been possible if they hadn’t identified both the economic, social, and personal needs of individuals. These shifts have granted more autonomy over how and where people work, making the return to a 9-to-6 office routine a matter of personal choice and company culture, not a requirement.

Coana sits firmly in the latter camp. As a collective of digital nomads, we’re a group of individuals scattered across the globe, from Mexico City (hola!), to Vancouver, Dubai, Lisbon, London, Den Bosch, and our ever-beloved Beirut.

While this may sound like we’re bragging a bit (we kind of are), it begs an important question: Why would clients who opted for a traditional office setting trust a fully remote team like us? 

The answer lies in shared values – specifically, work ethics rooted in personal integrity. Our commitment to deadlines, productivity, and excellence isn’t driven by a desire to impress a boss or “earn” a salary. It comes from an internal sense of purpose, career ambition, and personal growth.

It’s a reflection of our core belief that no matter where we’re located, professional values transcend geography.

The Collective: Community Values

One of the more profound insights I’ve gathered over the years came from my therapist, who once explained how we often mirror the same relationship dynamics at work that we have with our families. In this analogy, bosses represent parents, and colleagues become siblings. This is why, even in the flattest organizational structures, employees often seek validation from their superiors beyond the paycheck they receive.

So what happens when there’s no hierarchical boss figure? Do we transform into a collective of siblings, accountable to one another?

In my experience, I hope we do. My sibling is one of my favorite people, and I genuinely wish for that same level of mutual respect and connection within the Coana Collective. Our interpersonal relationships, built on friendship, shared values, and genuine care, create an unbreakable social mesh that supports the structure of our work. We no longer look to a singular authority for validation. Instead, we hold ourselves and each other accountable. These relationships are what make us strong; they ensure we never want to let one another down. 

This social mesh holds the weight of this deconstructed structure. Our collective relationships, built on mutual respect, accountability, and shared values, are what sustain us in a world where traditional workplace hierarchies have given way to fluid, remote work models.

But with that camaraderie comes responsibility – not only to deliver on our promises but to support each other through the inevitable ups and downs of remote work. So, what happens when the collective isn’t there, when collaboration isn’t required, and it’s just you, working alone?

Individual: The Self

Our greatest barrier to freedom is often our own mind. When we constantly seek validation from others, we limit our potential for real growth. True freedom comes from learning to be comfortable in our own company, feeling confident without external approval, and measuring success by how aligned we are with our inner values—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Working independently, especially remotely, calls for strengthening inner qualities like self-discipline, motivation, and perseverance. These aren’t just abstract concepts—they form the backbone of real autonomy and personal growth. The more you nurture them, the more confident you become in what you contribute, even if it’s during a virtual meeting.

In my own experience, spending more time with myself has been a space for discovery. It’s where I’ve tested my limits, defined my values, and deepened my understanding of what truly drives me. This process hasn’t been about pushing myself to the point of exhaustion but rather about growing in ways that foster personal development and resilience. It’s this inner evolution that strengthens us, no matter where we are physically.

So, I leave you with this:

Whether you’ve returned to an office or continue working remotely, how are you building these inner qualities – those that lead to genuine personal and professional growth?
And as a client, does it really matter where your team is located if their values, ethics, and commitment remain intact?