THe Power of Intentional Debriefing
I’ve been a facilitator for a long time — whether in the classroom, with a room full of teachers and administrators, or in corporate settings with HR professionals, executives, and teams. Standing at the front of the room and guiding discussions is often the most natural and enjoyable part of the process for me. I love presenting alongside my colleagues, connecting with the audience, and collaborating with teams throughout the journey.
Yet, the more I facilitate and present, the more I realize that true growth happens in the phase after the presentation ends. Too often, we transition from one presentation or meeting to the next without intentionally reflecting on how it went in order to learn and improve. At Integrative Leadership Strategies, we use a structured, supportive feedback process that has impacted and improved my practice and awareness.
Before the presentation even takes place, Liz and I schedule dedicated time on our calendars for a debrief session afterward. Having the time prescheduled and set aside on our calendars made me more intentional about how I engaged during the presentation. Knowing I would soon have an opportunity to reflect on growth and success, I found myself more attuned to both my facilitation and Liz’s throughout the presentation, hoping to provide more thoughtful and constructive feedback.
The debriefing process is simple yet meaningful.
Here’s how it went for a recent debrief meeting we held:
Self-Reflection – First, I shared constructive and positive feedback about my performance with Liz, and then she did the same for herself.
Peer Feedback – Next, we gave each other feedback, offering two pieces of constructive feedback and two concrete, positive moments or strengths that stood out.
General Notes – Finally, we compiled a list of broader feedback, including technical adjustments or ideas for future presentations.
When my friends and family asked how this presentation went, instead of the usual “It was good” or “I think it went well” response, I found myself referring to the debrief conversation and citing specific insights about what worked and what could be improved.
If you lead presentations or run meetings, I encourage you to use this approach with your colleagues. You might be surprised, like I was, at how much clarity and growth come from setting aside time to reflect. Let us know how it goes!
