The Cost of Communication Breakdowns — And How One Team Rebuilt Trust
When a leadership transition hits, even high-performing teams can find themselves spiraling.
People start talking past each other. Emails replace conversations. Cameras stay off. Unspoken tension builds while silos harden. And even the most well-intentioned teams lose sight of their shared direction.
In this piece, we’ll walk through a real-world example of how one purpose-driven team used small, intentional shifts to rebuild trust, improve communication, and reconnect to purpose—without adding more meetings or relying on forced “fun.” We’ll unpack:
What was really going on beneath the surface
How Unlimited Boundaries helped the team identify invisible dynamics
The measurable and meaningful changes that emerged
And how your team can apply similar shifts—before breakdowns go too far
A Team Under Strain
A public service agency reached out to us at Unlimited Boundaries. The seven-person team, rooted in public service and shared values, had started to splinter. Despite a thoughtful leader at the helm, something was off.
On the surface, the pain-point was named as communication. A question floated: “Do we just need more social time outside the office?” But it became clear: the need was deeper than simply exchanging information and spending time together.
The recent leadership change had left the team unmoored. Some roles felt elevated, others diminished. The perceived value of individual contributions became a point of tension. Without a shared container for communicating clearly, anxiety and self-preservation took hold.
Defensiveness crept in. Collaboration frayed.
The leader—self-aware, respected, and committed to growth—saw the need for outside perspective. He was humble enough to acknowledge he did not have all the answers. Paradoxically, that self-awareness and vulnerability served as a powerful force that catalyzed systemic change.
Our Approach: Structured, Reflective, and Human-Centered
We began with one guiding insight: culture isn’t fixed by one-off solutions. It takes systems awareness and relationship-building to shift the deeper patterns.
Here’s what our approach included:
Grounded in what matters
We identified five qualities of high-performing teams—Communication, Trust, Openness & Learning Mindset, Self-Awareness, and Collaboration—and designed pre- and post-engagement surveys to measure perceived importance and actual performance across these areas.Surfacing what’s unspoken
Through listening sessions, reflective prompts, and structured exercises, we helped the team articulate the invisible dynamics: the ways habits, assumptions, and unspoken fears were shaping the team’s culture more than anyone realized.Building real-time capacity
We didn’t just name the problems—we created the conditions to practice something new. Together, we leveled up our listening capacity to more skillfully navigate conflict and generate psychological safety. This practice of listening unlocked new possibilities. The team practiced with real challenges—not hypotheticals.
Transformation: What Changed
The shifts were subtle, but significant.
The leader clarified roles and elevated individual contributions, restoring confidence and balance. We facilitated group sessions to help team members better understand each other’s working styles, communication needs, and purpose within the whole.
As understanding deepened, so did agency. By naming defensive or avoidant tendencies—not as flaws, but as protective responses—the team began to shift toward openness and ownership.
Here’s what the data showed:
Trust rose by 14%
Communication improved by 10%
All five qualities of high-performing teams showed gains over six months
And the qualitative impact? One team member said:
“I heard a lot of people talk about realizing something they hadn't known before—like ‘we agree about most of this.’ Around that time, we had some really good moments of togetherness. Simple acts like eating lunch as a group felt different.”
When a team can move from tension to truth—and from truth to action—transformation takes root.
Beyond This Team: Why It Matters
Any team going through transition—be it new leadership, restructuring, or rapid growth—can find themselves in the same place: confused, fragmented, and running on fumes.
Culture isn’t self-sustaining. Without intentional focus, trust frays, communication breaks down, and clarity disappears. What’s at stake isn’t just feelings—it’s impact.
At Unlimited Boundaries, we believe communication breakdowns aren’t about lack of will or intelligence. They’re about relational capacity. And that capacity can be built.
An Invitation
If your team…
…has recently undergone a leadership shift
…is struggling with the friction of growth
…feels disjointed across hybrid or remote settings
You don’t have to wait for burnout or disengagement to act.
Small shifts—honest dialogue, clear roles, intentional feedback, restored trust—can unlock everything.
Let’s talk about what’s possible. Get in touch and schedule a Discovery Call.