Poor management and disengaged employees are costing the United States between $450 and $550 billion per year, according to a recent Gallup poll. Out of a workforce of 100 million full-time employees, an estimated 70 million are actively disengaged at their jobs—so much so that more than 2.5 million workers left their jobs in June 2014. But there are several actions management can take to combat this bleak trend. Communication is central to the success of any team, but it is often overlooked in the American workplace. Effective communication is established when the recipient of a message understands exactly what the sender intended. It seems simple, but it is often difficult to achieve effective communication in today's digital workplace. The critical elements of nonverbal communication, such as body language, can be lost when communications are sent via text or email. When communicating with employees—particularly when giving complex instructions or a reprimand—it’s important to do so in person.