Maria Garaitonandia on How High-Performing Teams Talk When No One’s Watching
Communication doesn’t typically break in a single moment.
It drifts.
It softens.
It gets avoided.
It goes unspoken.
And by the time leaders recognize it, the impact is already showing up—in slower decisions, misalignment, and quiet tension across teams.
In this episode of The Covert Code Podcast, Anna Covert sits down with Maria Garaitonandia, leadership coach, communication strategist, and author of Untangling Communication, to explore how communication breaks down before anyone says a word.
This isn’t about obvious conflict.
This episode delves into the underlying dynamics of communication, specifically the conversations that often go unspoken.
Who Is Maria Garaitonandia?
Maria Garaitonandia is a leadership communication strategist with over 20 years of experience working with global teams across the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.
She helps leaders restore the following:
• Clarity
• Trust
• Alignment
• Momentum
Her work focuses on the moments where communication isn’t broken—but isn’t flowing.
Because that’s where problems actually begin.
The Silent Start of Communication Breakdown
One of the most powerful insights from this conversation:
👉 Communication issues don’t start with conflict.
👉 They start with avoidance.
Leaders often assume everything is fine because no one is speaking up.
But in reality:
• Conversations are being delayed
• Feedback is being softened
• Misalignment is growing quietly
The absence of conflict doesn’t mean alignment.
It often means the opposite.
Where Misalignment Shows Up First
Before teams openly acknowledge problems, misalignment manifests in subtle ways:
• Meetings that feel unclear
• Decisions that don’t stick
• Teams that agree publicly but hesitate privately
• A lack of forward momentum
These signals are simple to ignore.
But over time, they compound into bigger issues that are harder to fix.
Why Leaders Avoid Difficult Conversations
Avoidance isn’t random.
It’s driven by intention—just not always the right kind.
Leaders avoid conversations because they want to:
• Preserve relationships
• Avoid tension
• Maintain stability
• Protect team morale
But what feels like protection often creates long-term friction.
Because what isn’t addressed doesn’t disappear.
It builds.
The Real Cost of Communication Drift
When communication issues linger, the cost is both visible and invisible.
On the surface:
• Slower execution
• Missed opportunities
• Reduced clarity
Beneath the surface:
• Eroded trust
• Frustration
• Disengagement
Maria emphasizes that communication challenges are usually about more than just what’s being said.
They’re about what isn’t being said.
Culture Shapes Communication
Every organization has unspoken rules.
These rules determine:
• What people feel safe saying
• What gets filtered out
• Who speaks up—and who stays silent
Maria’s global experience shows that across cultures, one thing remains consistent:
People adjust their communication based on perceived safety—not truth.
Rebuilding Trust and Clarity
The positive news?
Communication can be restored.
But it requires leaders to take intentional action.
That starts with:
• Naming what’s been avoided
• Creating space for honest dialogue
• Modeling transparency
• Resetting expectations
Trust isn’t built through perfect communication.
It’s built through honest communication.
The One Shift That Changes Everything
If there’s one takeaway from this episode, it’s this lesson:
👉 Leaders don’t need better scripts.
👉 They need better awareness.
The willingness to notice what feels “off” and address it early can immediately restore clarity and momentum.
Because high-performing teams aren’t the ones without tension.
They’re the ones that know how to move through it.
Connect with Maria Garaitonandia
Website: https://www.mariagaraitonandia.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MariaGaraitonandia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariagaraitonandia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globalbridgestraining
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariagaraitonandia/
