The Osmotic Effect of High Performance: Why Your Environment Matters More Than You Think

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of leading a workshop forAshfordsduring their annual company retreat. The theme of my presentation was The Osmotic Effect of High Performance - a concept that centres around how profoundly the environments we operate in influence our performance, mindset, and well-being.

It’s a truth we often overlook in our pursuit of personal and professional growth: the environments we work, live, and play in can either fuel our potential or quietly drain it.

Think of osmosis not just as a high school science term but as a metaphor for how we absorb energy, mindset, and behaviour from our surroundings. Just like water moves through a membrane from an area of high concentration to low, our minds and habits are constantly influenced by what surrounds us people, conversations, architecture, tone, culture, even subtle cues like lighting and noise.

In high-performance environments, excellence becomes infectious. You absorb drive, focus, standards, and creativity without even realising it. In contrast, a stagnant or toxic environment can silently erode your ambition and dull your edge.

At Ashfords, I was inspired by their commitment to culture, openness, and collaboration. Their CEO, Greg Cusack was happy to be challenged by his team and communicated openly about the company’s systems, decisions, and operational structures. Why, because when Ashfords invest in nurturing their environment's psychological safety, trust, challenge with support is not just creating a better place to work, they are also engineering conditions for performance to flourish.

It's not just about perks or aesthetics. It's about:

• Clear communication and aligned values

• High standards paired with genuine care

• Colleagues who energise rather than deplete

The environment becomes a silent coach nudging people to bring their best, consistently.

Remember, who you surround yourself with matters.

At home, the environment we create can either be a sanctuary for recovery or a source of low-level stress. Clutter, noise, disconnection; all these add up. In contrast, intentional spaces where you feel calm, connected, and supported regulate your nervous system and renew your focus.

So, remember, who you surround yourself with matters. Are your conversations elevating or depleting you? Are your habits encouraged or hindered by those around you? Are your team members providing opportunities from growth?

The Osmotic Effect of High Performance reminds us that success doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s shaped passively and actively by what we’re immersed in every day.

So, ask yourself:

• What am I absorbing from my current environment?

• What am I unconsciously becoming?

• And what changes can I make to design spaces that pull the best out of me?

High performance isn’t just about mindset or skillset, it’s about environmental design and investing in those that “add” value. When you get this right, you will stop pushing so hard, and instead, start absorbing what makes your company better.

Well done Ashfords, let the ‘Osmotic Effect of High Performance’ continually absorb your company’s culture, value and outcomes. The ROI will be returned through employee loyalty and client outcomes.

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