With all the chatter going on in offices, people often turn to headphones to block out the noise and be able to concentrate. Noise-canceling headphones block out distractions, but they can also block out communication. It may be a good idea to set some boundaries for their use so employees can still collaborate.

Some companies are shifting to a more casual dress code. This can lead to a more relaxed atmosphere, but what if an employee takes it a little too far? Don't let that be you. It's a good idea, especially if you're new to an organization, to observe the corporate culture, including the norms and expected behaviors.

For decades brainstorming has been our go-to method for ideation, yet it holds back our success when the environment doesn't encourage everyone to contribute. Instead, try brainwriting—writing ideas on paper and letting teammates iterate on them. It improves not only the quantity of ideas you get, but also the quality.