Untangling Communication for Empowered Leadership and Team Success
I help leaders and teams stop miscommunication from stalling progress. Whether it’s conflict resolution, cultural misunderstandings, or feedback struggles, I provide practical solutions so your team can collaborate, build trust, and get things done!
Hi, I’m Maria Garaitonandia (“Go-right-to-nandia”).
My Story
Growing up across multiple countries, I’m a what they call a “third culture kid” (TCK). Attending 11 schools and constantly being the new kid taught me to adapt, connect, and decode communication across cultures and environments. These experiences shaped my ability to help teams and leaders bridge communication gaps, navigate differences, and foster trust—turning miscommunication into momentum.
For over two decades, I’ve brought this unique perspective to clients, helping them observe, adapt, and untangle communication knots that hold teams back. By understanding people, navigating linguistic and cultural nuances, and recognizing social and organizational patterns, I help leaders and teams break through barriers and work together more effectively.
“… I recommend Maria Garaitonandia as one of the most inspiring professionals I have had the privilege to collaborate with. Maria delivered an exceptional keynote for a cohort of high-potential women at Ericsson, combining actionable insights with a warm and engaging style that captivated and inspired our audience.. and empowered attendees to lead with confidence and presence…”
Andrea Del Arenal, Head of Business Excellence, Ericsson
Why Work with Me?
I don’t just teach communication—I help leaders and teams untangle the real obstacles that hold them back. With over two decades of experience in interpersonal intelligence, leadership coaching, and corporate training, I bring a unique blend of intercultural experience, sharp insight, and actionable strategies that drive real results.
I’ve taught at two universities and continue to work internationally, helping leaders navigate cross-cultural communication and leadership challenges.
Global Expertise
I use my CLEAR™ framework, that simplifies workplace interactions, making communication more effective and actionable.
Proven frameworks
Trusted by top
global organizations
I partner with leading companies worldwide to improve communication, leadership, and collaboration in diverse teams.
Cross-Cultural
Expertise
I bring a global perspective that helps leaders bridge differences, foster trust, and lead diverse teams with confidence.
If your team is struggling with communication barriers, conflict, or collaboration, I can help you turn those challenges into growth opportunities.
So, how do I help leaders and teams untangle communication challenges?
Convey
Context
Set the stage by providing background before making a request or discussing a challenge.
Listen
Actively
Understand your team’s needs and perspectives.
Empathize
Build trust through emotional intelligence.
Adapt
Navigate diverse cultural and organizational contexts with simple adjustments.
Reframe
Positively
Turn challenges into opportunities for collaborative problem solving.
I use my CLEAR™ approach—a proven method designed to break down barriers, build trust, and create teams that work together seamlessly.
Miscommunication costs time, money, and trust.
But it doesn’t have to.
Whether your team struggles with feedback, conflict, or alignment, I can help.
With CLEAR™ Communication, I blend real-world insights with practical strategies developed through years of helping leaders and teams overcome communication barriers. Whether through keynotes, workshops, or coaching, I equip organizations with tools to foster trust, resolve conflicts, and work together seamlessly.
Start Unlocking your Team’s Potential
Struggling with communication challenges in your team?
Find out where the breakdowns happen and how to fix them with the CLEAR™ Communication Assessment & Cheat Sheet.
Find out if your team struggles with:
Unclear expectations and mixed messages
Avoiding difficult conversations or feedback
Collaboration challenges due to misalignment
Cross-cultural communication gaps
With this FREE guide, you'll:
Identify your biggest communication blind spots
Get actionable strategies to improve clarity, trust, and collaboration
Apply the CLEAR™ framework to create a stronger team dynamic
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Maria has worked with top companies and organizations to improve communication at all levels.
Here are just a few of the brands she’s had the privilege to collaborate with:
What Maria Offers
Speaking Programs:
Interactive, impactful sessions that address the real communication challenges leaders and teams face.
Through actionable strategies, I help build trust, resolve conflict, and create cohesive, high-performing teams.
Engaging Keynotes
Team Development
Untangling Team Dynamics: From Tension to Trust
Outcomes:
Apply the CLEAR™ approach to resolve tension and foster trust.
Break down silos and bridge personality clashes.
Balance vulnerability and assertiveness to build psychological safety and open dialogue.
Cross-Cultural Leadership
Leading Across Cultures: Lessons from a Third Culture Kid
Outcomes:
Develop adaptive leadership skills to navigate cultural differences with confidence.
Sharpen your observation skills to decode unspoken expectations.
Adjust your communication style to connect across cultures while maintaining authenticity.
Leadership Development
Mastering Feedback: Turning Recognition & Correction into Growth
Outcomes:
Create a culture of recognition where feedback fuels motivation and high performance.
Gain confidence in delivering both praise and constructive feedback using the CARE and FRAME models.
Empower your team with continuous feedback that drives accountability and results.
“Maria Garaitonandia was one of our keynote speakers for our Learning Week at AMNS Calvert. She gave keynotes on cultural differences and generational differences. She was fantastic! She did an amazing job connecting to our virtual audience. Maria did an excellent job of opening up the conversation on these important topics. Our team members gave her a 5 star rating out of 5!”
Jeremy Doggette,
Area Manager, Learning & Workforce Development AM/NS Calvert
Group Workshops
Interactive, results-driven sessions designed to break down silos, strengthen collaboration, and equip teams with real-world strategies to handle conflict constructively. Whether it’s improving team dynamics, fostering trust or developing clarity, these workshops provide practical tools tailored to your team’s unique challenges.
Mastering the Art of Listening
Speak with Confidence
Navigating Tough Talks
Feedback that Fosters Growth
The Power of Persuasion
Cultivating Leaders
Trusting with Transparency
Coaching Skills Mastery for Leaders
Harmony in Conflict
Global Cultural Navigator
Bridging Generational Gaps
Building Strong Teams
Mastering Stress
Negotiate to Win
Present Like a Pro
Excelling in Customer Engagement
Empowering Emotional Savvy
"Understanding organizational culture is the key to leading teams. The proper management of communication is the fundamental pillar. To do this, studying, analyzing, and living in accordance with the company's culture is the path to building positive relationships with colleagues, ultimately creating a positive work environment. Thank you, Maria, for guiding us through this process. Today, I feel much more informed and prepared to do it correctly."
Natalia Soler
CEO Holcim Costa Rica
Interested in learning more?
Explore our group workshops and training programs here.
Leadership Coaching
Personalized coaching designed to help senior leaders and high-level executives communicate with clarity, build trust, and navigate complex challenges with confidence. Grounded in real-world experience, my coaching has helped leaders in high-stakes environments drive results, build stronger teams, and foster collaboration. By focusing on strategic decision-making, emotional intelligence, and team alignment, I empower leaders to overcome barriers, manage conflicts with confidence, and cultivate a culture of accountability.
Whether you're scaling your leadership impact, improving team dynamics, or addressing cross-cultural challenges, my coaching empowers you to lead with clarity and drive lasting results.
Ready to take your leadership to the next level?
Learn more about our personalized coaching programs here.
“I had the pleasure of being coached by Maria and I really have to say that the way she walks you through with real examples and making you think in a more profound way is really meaningful and very useful in the daily basis activities. Really glad for the time and sessions we spent together!”
Rodolfo Camarillo Williams
Business Unit Director, Astra Zeneca
Interested in learning more?
Explore our group workshops and training programs here.
Looking for a tailored solution? Let’s discuss how Maria can design a program specific to your needs.
Explore Speaking
Opportunities
Other Services
Request a Free
Consultation
What Others Are Saying
Maria provided my global team with some extensive training which focused on developing and presenting effective presentations. These sessions provided immediate results that I noticed from my team. Her focus on developing the skills and content necessary to "Wow" the audience was masterful!
Richard Widup
Former Global Corporate Security Director Reckitt Currently President/Founder, Widup Group
As a first-time manager at 61 years old, I was dealing with new challenges that I had never dealt with before. Maria's counsel, and the friendly and professional way she delivered it, has been of the utmost help to me in my transition to what for me is a very new experience. I highly recommend to anyone who deals in management situations that they utilize her for expert analysis of situational management.
Thomas Cleland
Operations Manager, Cosentino
Maria is an excellent training and coaching partner. She can create and implement a customized Development Program for any company and any group. She is flexible, result-oriented, humble, fun, open to continue growing and improving herself and provides her knowledge and expertise to any challenging situation.
Nuria Jackson
Formerly HRBP Cosentino Currently Wellness Coach and Author