Gina Gardiner Associates
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"Providing a Leading-Edge Training Hub with Next Level Solutions For Demonstrating Limitless Potential"
Coaching, Mentoring and Developing Leaders
GGA Training offers a unique suite of training options designed to help industry leaders, businesses, organizations and more to:
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There is Only One You - Make the Most of Yourself
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2025-08-14 - Hard Conversations, Soft Hearts, Clear Results
One of the most common fears I hear from leaders is this: "I hate confrontation. I don't want to upset people."
I understand that fear. I've workedd with many clients who have avoided difficult conversations whenever they could. They hoped problems would fix themselves, or they'd water down feedback to keep the peace. But the truth was,it wasn't helping anyone. The opposite was true - problems grew, trust eroded and performance suffered. Rather than protecting their staff people felt confused and let down.
The turning point came has come when the leaders I was working with understood the difference between confrontation and confronting the issue.
Learning to confront the issue in a constructive way is a major game changer.
It requires that leaders set out and share explicit and consistent expectations from the outset
That when people fall short of expectations they are held to account by leaders who know how to manage their own emotions first and who present the issue clearly and fairly
That opportunities for development are identified and agreed.
I never cease to be amazed at the astonishing results created by this approach
Instead of defensiveness - understanding. Instead of resentment - respect. People want clarity, even when it's uncomfortable so long as it comes from a place of trust and respect.
In the Visionary Leadership Masterclass (October 21-23),
Hard conversations are not a failure of leadership. Avoiding them is. The Masterclass offers you the opportunity to develop the confidence and understanding to tackle those difficult conversations in your professional and your personal life
Reserve your free place here: spiritualleadershipblueprint.com/masterclass
If you've been carrying a conversation you've been too afraid to have, let this be your reminder: clarity is kindness.
I understand that fear. I've workedd with many clients who have avoided difficult conversations whenever they could. They hoped problems would fix themselves, or they'd water down feedback to keep the peace. But the truth was,it wasn't helping anyone. The opposite was true - problems grew, trust eroded and performance suffered. Rather than protecting their staff people felt confused and let down.
The turning point came has come when the leaders I was working with understood the difference between confrontation and confronting the issue.
Learning to confront the issue in a constructive way is a major game changer.
It requires that leaders set out and share explicit and consistent expectations from the outset
That when people fall short of expectations they are held to account by leaders who know how to manage their own emotions first and who present the issue clearly and fairly
That opportunities for development are identified and agreed.
I never cease to be amazed at the astonishing results created by this approach
Instead of defensiveness - understanding. Instead of resentment - respect. People want clarity, even when it's uncomfortable so long as it comes from a place of trust and respect.
In the Visionary Leadership Masterclass (October 21-23),
Hard conversations are not a failure of leadership. Avoiding them is. The Masterclass offers you the opportunity to develop the confidence and understanding to tackle those difficult conversations in your professional and your personal life
Reserve your free place here: spiritualleadershipblueprint.com/masterclass
If you've been carrying a conversation you've been too afraid to have, let this be your reminder: clarity is kindness.
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What My Clients Say
"When I took over a new team I wanted to create a shared vision within an improved team environment and make better use of the team's time. Gina devised and facilitated a super 4 hour workshop which she delivered at my office in Canary Wharf. I met with her before the meeting and was able to explore not only the areas I felt were blocking progress and the potential issues facing the team. I found the discussion extremely useful in developing my role as the leader of the team and in planning the strategies to use with the team.
We worked as a team throughout the session. Everyone was successfully encouraged to take ownership of the issues and see themselves as part of the solution.
During the session we identified several things which were getting in the way of optimum team efficiency and which constantly drained our resources. Gina ensured that everyone had a voice and that there was a real sense of 'team'. Everyone felt valued and even the tricky issues were fully aired and dealt with in a positive and constructive way.
We developed, together as a cohesive unit, strategies and approaches that we were all willing and keen to adopt to improve our efficiency and effectiveness. The session was very practical but fun too. People were fully engaged in the process
All our thoughts and ideas were recorded in a very well executed, team-building environment. We left the session with priorities identified and a cohesive plan to move the agenda forward for ourselves and with other departments and with the Senior Management Team of the company.
Back at the desk, the team felt they had been offered a great opportunity to air their frustrations and share their ideas. They had been empowered to find their own solutions and resources that could be easily employed to produce better results.
The results of the session were lasting and far reaching. We had together created a way of making far better use of our individual and team time and manage the expectations of other departments.
It was a really worthwhile session which I recommend Gina to any manager who wants to build the department's sense of team or more efficient and effective use of the team's time.
"
We worked as a team throughout the session. Everyone was successfully encouraged to take ownership of the issues and see themselves as part of the solution.
During the session we identified several things which were getting in the way of optimum team efficiency and which constantly drained our resources. Gina ensured that everyone had a voice and that there was a real sense of 'team'. Everyone felt valued and even the tricky issues were fully aired and dealt with in a positive and constructive way.
We developed, together as a cohesive unit, strategies and approaches that we were all willing and keen to adopt to improve our efficiency and effectiveness. The session was very practical but fun too. People were fully engaged in the process
All our thoughts and ideas were recorded in a very well executed, team-building environment. We left the session with priorities identified and a cohesive plan to move the agenda forward for ourselves and with other departments and with the Senior Management Team of the company.
Back at the desk, the team felt they had been offered a great opportunity to air their frustrations and share their ideas. They had been empowered to find their own solutions and resources that could be easily employed to produce better results.
The results of the session were lasting and far reaching. We had together created a way of making far better use of our individual and team time and manage the expectations of other departments.
It was a really worthwhile session which I recommend Gina to any manager who wants to build the department's sense of team or more efficient and effective use of the team's time.
"
A Mills, World Wealth Banking Executive, London & Hong Kong