You've tried all the typical tips for increased productivity—scheduling, timeboxing, prioritizing—but you still find yourself distracted and wasting time. Maybe it's time to give one of these unconventional ideas for improving productivity a try. They're so crazy, they just might work.

If your project team suffers from misunderstandings or squabbles, it may be valuable to designate an observer role. This person would sit back and pay attention to whether there are patterns of miscommunication, interruptions, or conflicts that those in the conversations may not notice, helping resolve problems.

Employees tend to follow the model set from above, treating each other and their customers the way they’re treated by their superiors. Leaders set the tone for the entire organization, and that means that kindness starts at the top. But whatever level you're at, you can create a culture of kindness for everyone.