“Some of the best opportunities in life are the ones we never planned.”
When was the last time something wonderful happened simply because you were in the right place at the right time?
Perhaps it was a conversation before a meeting that led to a new project. Maybe it was attending an event you almost didn’t go to, only to meet someone who changed the direction of your career. Or perhaps it was a chance introduction that blossomed into a long-term professional relationship.
That’s serendipity.
Traditionally defined as the occurrence of fortunate discoveries by accident, serendipity has always played a role in both our personal and professional lives. But in today’s carefully scheduled, algorithm-driven world, it feels as though we’ve become so focused on planning every minute that we’ve forgotten to leave room for the unexpected.
Ironically, for Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants, embracing serendipity may be one of the most valuable professional skills we can cultivate.
More Than Just Luck
Serendipity isn’t simply luck. Luck is passive; serendipity is active.
It happens when preparation meets opportunity. It’s about recognising potential where others might see coincidence.
As EAs and PAs, we’re natural connectors. Every day we introduce people, solve problems, coordinate projects and bring together individuals who may never otherwise have crossed paths. We are often the invisible thread weaving together organisations.
In many ways, we create the conditions where serendipity can flourish.
The Human Advantage in an AI World
Technology has transformed our profession. Artificial intelligence can draft emails, summarise meetings, organise calendars and automate repetitive tasks in seconds. Digital platforms can recommend contacts, schedule meetings and even suggest networking opportunities based on shared interests.
Yet despite all this innovation, technology cannot fully replicate one uniquely human quality: genuine serendipitous connection.
Algorithms are designed to predict what we already like.
Serendipity introduces us to what we didn’t know we needed.
An AI system might recommend someone with a similar background. A chance conversation over coffee might introduce you to someone with a completely different perspective who inspires your next career move.
The difference is profound.
Why Serendipity Matters More Than Ever
The EA and PA profession has evolved far beyond diary management and administrative support. Today’s assistants are strategic partners, project managers, trusted advisors and business enablers.
That means our networks have become one of our greatest professional assets.
Some of the most valuable ideas emerge from unexpected conversations:
- A supplier shares a solution you hadn’t considered.
- A fellow EA mentions a new technology that transforms your workflow.
- A speaker at a conference sparks an idea that improves your organisation.
- A conversation in a networking break leads to your next promotion.
None of these moments can be fully planned.
They happen because we remain open, curious and engaged.
Creating Space for the Unexpected
Serendipity isn’t entirely accidental. We can actively invite it into our professional lives.
Attend networking events, even when your diary is busy.
Speak to someone you don’t already know.
Accept the coffee invitation.
Join that webinar.
Volunteer for a cross-functional project.
Say yes to mentoring, both as a mentor and as a mentee.
Read outside your normal areas of interest.
Sometimes the smallest decision opens the biggest door.
Curiosity Is a Superpower
The most successful assistants I meet all share one characteristic: curiosity.
They ask thoughtful questions.
They genuinely enjoy learning.
They remain interested in people.
They see opportunities rather than obstacles.
Curiosity naturally creates more opportunities for serendipity because curious people notice things others overlook.
As author and entrepreneur Steven Johnson famously observed, many breakthrough ideas don’t arrive as sudden flashes of inspiration. Instead, they emerge gradually through unexpected connections between people, experiences and ideas.
That couldn’t describe the EA profession more accurately.
The Ripple Effect
One of the beautiful aspects of serendipity is that its impact often extends far beyond ourselves.
A simple introduction between two colleagues might lead to a successful partnership.
Recommending someone for a role could transform their career.
Sharing an article or resource might inspire innovation across a team.
As assistants, we are often the catalyst behind these moments without ever seeking recognition.
It’s one of the quiet strengths of our profession.
Leaving Room for Magic
In our pursuit of productivity, efficiency and optimisation, it’s tempting to schedule every hour and measure every outcome.
But perhaps we should leave a little white space in our calendars.
A few extra minutes before a meeting.
Time to chat with a colleague.
An opportunity to attend an industry event.
A willingness to say, “Tell me more.”
Because while planning is essential, not everything that matters can be planned.
Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities arrive disguised as ordinary moments.
And perhaps that’s the true meaning of serendipity, not simply finding something unexpected, but being open enough to recognise its value when it appears.
As EAs and PAs, we don’t just experience serendipity.
Quite often, we’re the people who make it happen for everyone else.
This Blog Post was inspired by Episode 27 of the “EA/PA Chataway with Lindsay” podcast featuring Private and Family Assistant Hannah Dixon. You can listen to this here or wherever you normally find your podcast inspiration.
