Gina Gardiner Associates
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2025-08-31 - The Day I Realised that Meetings Could Save Time (Not Waste It)
If you groaned just reading the word "meeting," I understand. I used to groan too.
Like many leaders, I spent hours each week in long, draining meetings that seemed to generate more frustration than solutions. Everyone spoke, but little changed. It often felt like we were rearranging deckchairs on a ship that was already moving in circles.
I thought of the true cost of the time spent in meetings and knew things must change. I decided to approach meetings differently. Instead of asking, "What do we need to discuss?" I asked, "What would make this meeting truly valuable for everyone in the room?"
That shift changed everything.
Agendas became more focused, and we identified how best to share information efficiently so staff were well prepared. The decision-making process was significantly more effective so we spent significantly less time in meetings. Slowly but surely, meetings became seen as a vital and enjoyable activity. People showed up ready to contribute. We were actually left with more time in the day, not less.
Here's what I learned:
Meetings don't have to be the bane of leadership. In fact, when they're intentional, they become one of the most powerful tools for alignment, trust, and momentum.
So the next time you walk into a meeting, pause and ask yourself: How can I give everyone here a gift of time and clarity today?
You might be surprised at how differently the room feels.
Like many leaders, I spent hours each week in long, draining meetings that seemed to generate more frustration than solutions. Everyone spoke, but little changed. It often felt like we were rearranging deckchairs on a ship that was already moving in circles.
I thought of the true cost of the time spent in meetings and knew things must change. I decided to approach meetings differently. Instead of asking, "What do we need to discuss?" I asked, "What would make this meeting truly valuable for everyone in the room?"
That shift changed everything.
Agendas became more focused, and we identified how best to share information efficiently so staff were well prepared. The decision-making process was significantly more effective so we spent significantly less time in meetings. Slowly but surely, meetings became seen as a vital and enjoyable activity. People showed up ready to contribute. We were actually left with more time in the day, not less.
Here's what I learned:
- A meeting without clarity will consume energy instead of creating it.
- People value brevity and focus far more than elaborate presentations.
- When you design a meeting to give people time back, they give you their best energy in return.
Meetings don't have to be the bane of leadership. In fact, when they're intentional, they become one of the most powerful tools for alignment, trust, and momentum.
So the next time you walk into a meeting, pause and ask yourself: How can I give everyone here a gift of time and clarity today?
You might be surprised at how differently the room feels.
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What My Clients Say
"Since meeting Gina just over 2 years ago, I have come to realise what an important resource a life and executive coach is to a serial workaholic, which I have been for many years.
Gina has been at my side (metaphorically) throughout the last 2 and a half years as my life and executive coach and our relationship and her support has led to numerous life-changing experiences that, without Gina, I don't believe would have been possible.
Although I am considered to be a successful (some say high-flying) grown-up (I'm 36) and happily married, I have come to realize there are certain areas of my life that need a little (ok, maybe a lot) of attention. Relationships in my life, both personal and professional, have been challenging at times and Gina has worked with me to discover new and successful ways of approaching these challenges. Together we have identified potential new ways to behave and communicate with my team and my boss at work as well as with my parents and my husband.
Gina has been the enabler in helping me release more of my personal potential and she has taught me how to prepare for the future. In looking at the potential future in different ways, I have been able to identify new opportunities for personal and professional growth and I have had the most incredible journey.
Gina has been there at the moments in my life when I've needed the voice of reason and rational thought. She has shown me ways of dealing with life's roller-coasters by employing new strategies and new behaviours. I have developed courage and strengthened my self-confidence because of her support and guidance. She never tells me anything, she merely asks me searching questions which seem to push the right buttons and elicit responses which develop new strategies.
"
Gina has been at my side (metaphorically) throughout the last 2 and a half years as my life and executive coach and our relationship and her support has led to numerous life-changing experiences that, without Gina, I don't believe would have been possible.
Although I am considered to be a successful (some say high-flying) grown-up (I'm 36) and happily married, I have come to realize there are certain areas of my life that need a little (ok, maybe a lot) of attention. Relationships in my life, both personal and professional, have been challenging at times and Gina has worked with me to discover new and successful ways of approaching these challenges. Together we have identified potential new ways to behave and communicate with my team and my boss at work as well as with my parents and my husband.
Gina has been the enabler in helping me release more of my personal potential and she has taught me how to prepare for the future. In looking at the potential future in different ways, I have been able to identify new opportunities for personal and professional growth and I have had the most incredible journey.
Gina has been there at the moments in my life when I've needed the voice of reason and rational thought. She has shown me ways of dealing with life's roller-coasters by employing new strategies and new behaviours. I have developed courage and strengthened my self-confidence because of her support and guidance. She never tells me anything, she merely asks me searching questions which seem to push the right buttons and elicit responses which develop new strategies.
"
Leanne, Barclays Bank, Canary wharf