Most leaders believe their teams go quiet because people fear conflict, don't know what to say, or lack confidence. But that's almost never the real reason. In this episode of Uncommon Leadership, Keith Klain joins me to reveal a harder, more human truth: Teams go quiet when they stop trusting how honest their leaders will be with them. Keith shares the shift that transformed every organization he led—from global banks to fast-paced tech teams. When he stopped treating information as currency and started telling people the real "why" behind decisions, something remarkable happened:

• People became more candid
• Critical information finally flowed upward
• Change stopped feeling like a threat
• Attrition fell because people felt represented—not managed
• Psychological safety grew because honesty wasn't rare anymore

This episode is a guide for leaders ready to move beyond performance optics and into real stewardship—the kind that earns loyalty, sharper thinking, and genuine collaboration. -- Your Key Learnings Through This Podcast

• Why teams lose trust long before leaders notice
• How withholding information quietly collapses decision quality
• The difference between "managing" people and sponsoring them
• Why transparency strengthens performance, not fragility
• How to communicate honestly without overwhelming your team
• Why people don't need all the details—they need clear intent

If you lead through change, complexity, or uncertainty, this episode will challenge how you show up—and elevate what your team believes is possible with you. -- About the Guest: Keith Klain Keith is a globally recognized QA and testing executive, director at KPMG UK, and past head of Barclays Global Test Center. He's known for building world-class teams, challenging outdated testing standards, and driving business-focused quality across industries. Keith's "Quality Remarks" podcast and writings have helped shape the next generation of tech leaders. Connect with Keith: LinkedIn: Keith Klain Knowledge stack: Quality Remarks About the Host: Michael Hunter Michael partners with top tech leadership teams across six continents to create extraordinary cultures. With 35 years of experience at companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Tableau, he helps leaders sustain meaningful change. Michael believes that only by integrating mind, heart, body, spirit, and intuition can leaders truly navigate change safely and build a lasting legacy of impact + human-centered leadership. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbugreality/ Further Exploration:https://uncommonteams.com/work-with-me/

-- For more inspiring conversations like this, sign up for the Uncommon Leadership newsletter at https://uncommonteams.com Watch the Uncommon Leadership Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp9vaDKz5TI7gaWKLc801Dw Prefer audio? Stream here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/uncommon-leadership/id1654637165 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BkXGceaZgVWxGQCXcrmgj

Presented By: Uncommon Change