Do you ever feel like you’re spending most of your workday searching for information, checking project statuses, or trying to find the right tool for the job? If so, you’re not alone. Today, full-time workers spend over half their time, 53%, on these low-value tasks, leaving only 47% for meaningful, skilled work that actually moves the needle. Think about it: how much easier would your day be if your focus could remain on what you’re best at?
Asana’s latest Global Report shines a light on what’s really slowing us down, with insights from over 13,000 knowledge workers across the globe. This comprehensive look, along with five years of trend data, reveals 4 major “productivity taxes” impacting today’s workplace. If it feels like your team is trapped in outdated ways of working, this report is here to show the way forward. We summarize this report for you. So, let’s dig into these four productivity drains, and the strategies that innovative organizations are using to stay ahead.
1. The Connectivity Tax
Our workforce is more globally connected than ever before. You may be collaborating with teams across multiple time zones and locations, but how often do you feel those interactions are truly effective? More than 80% of workers collaborate across teams, yet only 21% feel these connections are genuinely productive. Worse still, 63% of employees say at least one cross-functional project they’ve worked on in the past year failed to meet its goals.
The connectivity tax takes a toll on three key areas: teams, work alignment, and location. With only less than a half percent of employees reporting that they can clearly see how their work aligns with company objectives, it’s no wonder many feel disconnected from their work. And let’s be real - who doesn’t work better when they see how their tasks contribute to the bigger picture?
High-performing organizations have found ways to cut this tax down. They don’t just talk about collaboration - they invest in it. Employees at these companies are 2.4 times more likely to receive training on cross-functional teamwork, making goal alignment and seamless workflows a priority.
Key Takeaways:
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Give employees better guidance and training to improve team collaboration.
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Provide clear visibility into organizational goals and individual contributions.
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Align work across teams to keep everyone on the same page.
2. The Velocity Tax
Have you ever spent hours searching for the right spreadsheet, struggling with outdated software, or navigating broken processes? This is the velocity tax in action, and it’s costing businesses dearly. More than three-quarters of workers say poor task delegation leads to confusion and delays, while almost half avoid new projects due to these issues.
Despite the variety of innovative tools available, a shocking 94% of workers still rely on spreadsheets, while 98% rely on email. And while AI is growing in use, few understand its full potential. This shows that it’s not about having the latest technology, it’s about making sure those tools work together seamlessly.
Smart organizations reduce this tax by centralizing their work management. They streamline tasks, approvals, and workflows to give leaders real-time visibility, helping them make informed decisions and avoid costly miscommunications.
Key Takeaways:
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Use centralized work platforms to organize tasks, streamline approvals, and manage workflows.
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Standardize collaboration tools across the organization to simplify communication.
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Embrace AI, but ensure employees understand its benefits and applications.
3. The Resilience Tax
Toxic colleagues, ineffective managers, and poor change management can all add up to a hefty resilience tax, draining employees’ ability to adapt to change. A staggering 95% of employees report experiencing toxic behaviors, and 81% have witnessed toxic management. Worse yet, with companies adopting shortsighted change management strategies, only 27% of employees feel confident that their organization can navigate future challenges.
High-resilience organizations have found ways to reduce this tax, creating work cultures where employees feel supported and connected to their organization's goals. They keep toxic behavior in check, involve leaders in day-to-day happenings, and align managers’ priorities with those of their teams. In these companies, employees are almost three times as likely to understand how their roles fit into the company’s future, even during times of change.
Key Takeaways:
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Reduce toxic behaviors with clear policies and accountability.
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Keep leaders informed about the team’s day-to-day work.
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Take a thoughtful approach to change management, prioritizing employees’ needs.
4. The Capacity Tax
How many meetings do you sit through each week? Now, how many of those are truly productive? Meeting overload, along with too many tools and constant collaboration, drains employees’ energy and leaves little room for meaningful work. In fact, 70% of employees say they’re frequently lost in workplace jargon, while 63% find it difficult to keep up with the constant influx of tools.
Leading organizations are tackling the capacity tax by reducing unnecessary meetings, clarifying who is responsible for what, and taming tool overload. This focus on clarity and efficiency allows employees to do real work without feeling like they’re just performing productivity theater.
Key Takeaways:
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Cut back on meetings to reduce post-meeting recovery time.
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Clarify work ownership and accountability to eliminate confusion.
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Simplify tool usage to avoid context switching and “tool bloat.”
The Path Forward
As workplaces evolve, organizations must adapt to meet the demands of a more connected, tech-driven world. Forward-thinking companies are finding ways to minimize these productivity taxes, empowering employees to focus on work that matters. By taking a thoughtful approach to technology, collaboration, resilience, and capacity, you can create a workplace where people feel aligned, engaged, and ready to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.
Are you ready to take a path forward? Read the whole report or schedule a meeting to discuss the possibilities.
