Beyond the Graph
Why presence matters more than precision in a profile debrief
Itโs tempting to think our job is to explain the model.
Especially when weโre debriefing a tool such as the Leadership Circle Profile.
We prepare our talking points. Study the framework. Try to anticipate what the client will ask.
And then, in the moment, we sometimes find ourselves racing to interpret - to connect dots, offer insights, and show our value.
But the truth is, understanding the data is rarely the hard part.
Whatโs hard is sitting with someone as they begin to see themselves differently.
Staying grounded as their identity expands into something new.
Trusting the silence as a space where insight can emerge rather than something that needs to be filled.
A transformational debrief isnโt about the profile.
Itโs about the space we create around it.
Leaders donโt remember our quadrant breakdowns or framework definitions.
They remember what it felt like to be seen.
They remember when something landed that couldnโt be unlearned.
They remember hearing their own truth spoken aloud, perhaps for the first time in years. Maybe even for the first time ever.
So why do we often lead with explanation?
Because it feels safer.
Precision gives us a sense of control.
Presence asks us to let go of it.
Thereโs a difference between explaining a leaders results and co-creating a moment that matters.
One centers the coach.
The other centers on the relationship.
Of course we need to understand the model.
But when we treat the debrief like a performance, we risk crowding out the space where meaning emerges.
What shifts when we let the leader lead?
When we follow their rhythm, not ours?
When we ask, โWhatโs landing for you right now?โ instead of โLet me explain that score.โ
Some of the most powerful moments in a debrief happen when we say nothing.
When a leader stares at the screen and admits โsome of these comments are hard to read.โ
When they catch themselves explaining and stop: โIโm doing it right now, arenโt I? Justifying instead of listening.โ
When they laugh, or go quiet, or look away for a moment too long.
Not because we explained something brilliantly, but because something real just surfaced.
These are the moments that matter.
Not because theyโre dramatic. But because theyโre true.
After hundreds of debriefs, I still catch myself wanting to add value. To explain. To guide. To speak.
And I remind myself - this isnโt about me.
It never was.
What opens the door to transformation isnโt precision.
Itโs presence.
For fellow practitioners:
- How do you create space for insight to land, without rushing to deliver it?
- What does presence look like in your practice?
Next: Whatโs Trying to Emerge โ listening for the story behind the scores.
Hope to see you โon the matโ ๐ฃ.
As I read this, I find this true of any assessment debrief. It's less about us showing how much we know, and much more about creating the space for the client to reflect. Interpreting is important, but not if it gets in the way of allowing the conversation to lead to insight. Thank you Paul!