What really improves employee performance? Better accessibility and technology? Streamlined communication? Great company perks? While those things certainly don’t hurt, environmental features, like lighting and air quality, may play a bigger role than you ever imagined. A number of recent studies confirm that conventional office design could be slowly crushing employee productivity from within—and that “greening” spaces with selective materials and health-conscious decor could be the key to eliminating production lag.
As team leaders and innovative thinkers, we tend to reject elements that are out of our control. But subconscious environmental triggers influence us nonetheless, whether we want to admit it or not. Humans are keenly attuned to differences in light, color, and air quality—and in your office, strategically adapting surroundings to mirror natural environments may be the difference between a team that just does the bare minimum and one that’s hitting it out of the park. In particular, if you want to see improved performance—and return on investment—pay attention to your building’s lighting, decor, and air quality.