Leading a team of individuals is no simple task — it takes patience, technical experience, and a ton of leadership skills. If you work in tech, you’ve probably heard the terms “Scrum Master” or “Project Manager” being thrown around in many of the day-to-day conversations you’re having. And if you’re new to the industry, you’ve probably asked yourself what makes the two roles so different.

It’s not always obvious what exactly kills your productivity. According to a CareerBuilder survey, about 75 percent of employers say that more than two hours of efficient work are lost every day. It is very difficult to strike the balance between creating a collaborative environment and respecting the need for focus. What is the reason for that?

After the pandemic, remote work became mainstream. In IT, hiring global developers has become necessary for those who want access to a better talent pool. However, most of the benefits that remote work brings to the table are impossible without understanding how to enhance collaboration and dynamics between remote employees. Having the right working tools helps teams organize better and more efficiently, allowing them to coordinate time zones, manage workload, keep track of projects, and more.

Poor communication could be shrinking your paycheck and cost a single company over $60 million annually. Small companies aren’t immune to poor communication woes, either. Communication blunders cost $420,000 per year in companies with 100 employees or fewer. Big or small, poor communication costs companies money. This loss of revenue can certainly impact employee salaries and bonuses.

Did you know that 71% of employees say they’re more productive when they feel connected to their colleagues through communication? This shows the importance of effective communication in the workplace. No doubt, the communication techniques used in a work environment affect employee performance and collaboration efforts. Top-down communication is a common form of communication in the workplace and has both positive and negative impacts on collaboration efforts and employee engagement.

In the 1944 film Gaslight, Ingrid Bergman plays a woman who is manipulated by her husband to the point where she questions her own memory and even sanity. FYI, Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for that film. This phenomenon is not limited to fiction, nor is it confined to relationships. Gaslighting can happen in workplaces as well. Someone could be casting a manipulative web around you without your knowledge. You need to act wise and fast.

Sometimes you work all day long, managing to do a lot of things, spinning like a squirrel in a wheel, but the result is only fatigue with no satisfaction. It is unclear how all this work heroism has brought you closer to your goal. In time management, it is called the problem of goal-setting, and its consequences can be the most devastating. Life turns into a grueling marathon with rare breaks and incomprehensible results.

Creating an environment that encourages collaboration is key to a successful company culture, but it’s also important to have a good balance of power on your team. You don’t want one person to feel like they’re being treated unfairly by the rest of the staff—but if everyone feels like they’re equal stakeholders, you’ll find yourself with a cohesive team that works together seamlessly. The best way to achieve this is through dialogue.

Did you know that only 49% of leaders are sure they can plan for the next leader in a clear and consistent way? Not that I blame them – making succession plans can be a task. That’s why knowledge of succession planning is absolutely necessary. Every forward-looking business owner wants to see their businesses continue to thrive long after their active years. Who doesn’t? They also don’t want their business to collapse due to the sudden exit of a crucial team member.

Our environment has an impact on us mentally and physically. We can also say that this has major implications for our productive and creative days. The majority of us may work in environments that might sacrifice comfort, function, and livability — but without these aspects, it’s difficult to focus and invest your energy. The more comfortable and positive the surrounding vibe is, the more creative and efficient you will be.