What moves beneath the surface shapes everything above it.

WELCOME ≈

Patrick Liebl

Presence-Based Facilitation –
For the conversations that actually matter.

I work with people who feel that the real conversation hasn't happened yet. The one that goes beneath the agenda, to what's unsaid but actually matters. I call this presence-based facilitation. I slow things down, stay close to what's really happening in the room, and create the conditions for what's already there to surface and move.

I offer this presence in one-on-one conversations and in groups. Years of grief work and end-of-life accompaniment taught me how to stay present when things get real, when emotions run high, or when silence carries more than words. That's where my capacity to hold space comes from, and it runs through everything I do.

Presence & facilitation: knowing when to hold space and when to move.

What I am offering ≈

My approach

My work is grounded in what I call presence-based facilitation, the practice of bringing full, non-judgmental attention to what is actually happening in a conversation or process. That includes the content, as well as the undercurrent: what's being said, what isn't, where the energy is, and where it's stuck.

My approach draws on traditions of mindfulness, embodiment and compassionate presence that I've studied and practiced for many years. Staying grounded when emotions run high, holding space for discomfort without rushing to resolve it, and remaining genuinely curious about every person in the room: these are trainable skills. They are also, I've found, the skills that make the difference between a process that merely concludes and one that actually moves something.

What this means for you is that I come with a quality of attention and a set of capabilities that I adapt to what the situation actually needs, rather than a fixed methodology or a predetermined outcome.

It starts with a conversation

If you're curious about working together, we would start by having a conversation. You don't need to know exactly what you're looking for. Often the most useful thing that comes out of a first call is simply more clarity about what you need, whether I'm the right person to help, and what a next step might look like.

OFFERINGS:

  • Sometimes what's needed isn't a process or a plan but just a real conversation. One that is unhurried, non-directive, and free from the pressure to arrive at a immediate conclusion.

    I work with people who want to get closer to what's actually true for them. Whether that's navigating a transition, making sense of a difficult situation, or simply feeling more in touch with themselves and what truly matters. This includes leaders and team members who sense that something important isn't being heard, either by the people around them, or by themselves.

    People often leave having processed something real, feeling more connected to themselves and clearer about what actually matters.

  • Many group processes only scratch on the surface of what’s actually there. I facilitate the conversations that usually never quite make it to the surface. The ones that would shift something if they finally happened.

    My approach of Presence-Based Facilitation creates the conditions for a group to slow down, hear each other more deeply, and get past the agenda to what actually matters. Without losing sight of where they need to go.

    Groups leave having done more than just talk. They've metabolized something together. A deeper awareness of what is actually at play, and a renewed sense of connection to each other and to what matters.

  • I offer this as a training program for professionals: leaders, HR professionals, and anyone who regularly facilitates or moderates. Rather than being a methodology, it is a practice that you’ll develop over time.

    You will learn to slow down in the moments that usually speed up, to hear what's not being said, and to hold a space with enough care and clarity that the real conversation can finally happen. Instead of always wanting to conrole the process, you will lean in to trusting your presence to guide it.

    Outcome: Over time, you'll find yourself less reactive in difficult moments, more capable of getting to what actually matters and more confident that you can hold a room through whatever arises.

  • Organizations go through grief too: when a colleague dies, when a beloved structure disappears or when a change process asks people to let go of something they didn't choose to lose. This is often the invisible drag on teams and cultures. I help organizations to name and navigate these moments.

    Outcome: When loss is acknowledged rather than managed, teams find it easier to move forward – together.

    For dedicated programs and organizational grief work, I also co-lead OMDB together with Cori Moore.

About me ≈

  • Facilitator

  • Coach

  • Grief Counsellor

  • End-of-life Companion

I trained as a facilitator, a grief counsellor, and an end-of-life companion. That combination might seem unusual but it isn't accidental.

The work of accompanying someone who is dying taught me something that no facilitation training ever could: how to be fully present in a moment that cannot be fixed, controlled, or rushed, and how to hold that space for someone else without losing yourself in it. It also taught me that the most important thing you can do for another person is make them feel genuinely heard, even when – or maybe especially when – you cannot fix whatever causes them pain. And that when people feel truly heard, something shifts – not always dramatically, but always meaningfully.

Those are exactly the skills that make a difference in individual processes as well as in organizations.

I have a master's degree in political science, with a particular focus on ethics and the philosophical questions that underlie how we live together. I began my professional career as a coach in communication and leadership. Over time, my path led me deeper, through training in grief work, in mindfulness, in compassionate presence and in end-of-life care. These are not separate worlds. They share a common thread: the capacity to be present with what is, not just with what we wish were true.

Today, I bring that thread into my work with organizations. I am based in Berlin and work in English, German, French and Spanish.

Testimonials

  • „I've worked with Patrick twice as a facilitator in a longer self-development program that unfolded over several weeks, both online and in person. What struck me most was the unique combination of deep presence and true professionalism he brings into a room. Patrick creates a space where people feel genuinely seen and heard – while at the same time holding a very clear structure and direction. He never loses sight of the process, the objectives, or the group dynamics. Everyone is included, nothing gets diluted, and the work consistently leads somewhere meaningful. What stands out is his ability to combine a gentle, calm presence with a high level of effectiveness. He doesn’t push, yet he moves the group forward with clarity and precision. There is a quiet authority in the way he facilitates – grounded, focused, and deeply intentional. I found myself – and others – opening up more quickly and going deeper than expected, simply because of how safely and professionally the space was held. If you are looking for a facilitator who combines human depth with real impact – someone who creates trust and delivers results – Patrick is exceptional.“

    – Constanze Buchheim, Managing Partner at i-potentials

  • „Patrick delivered workshops and grief sessions for us, as well as sharing advice on the grief process on our company podcast. The way our employees were supported and shown care for has truly made a difference to how participants processed their grief. Patrick provided a safe space for people to breathe, process and talk when they needed to. He also gave everyone the opportunity to take the time they needed as individuals, showing how everyone's journey is different. I am so grateful for their kindness, their understanding and the way they really listened and delivered on what we needed.“

    – Eileen Barnard, Senior Organisational Culture Manager at Babbel

  • "As a facilitator, when attending workshops, I sense whether a space is safe; with Patrick I knew it was, instantly. My body relaxed, my mind alert and curious, I could show up fully and bring my whole self to the work. Patrick is a masterful facilitator. He holds multiple strands simultaneously: structure, emergence, depth, time. Most of us have at least one area that trips us up. Patrick holds them all, and makes it look effortless. With Patrick facilitating, I went deep. He invites rather than pushes. No judgement. Awareness and transformation follow naturally. If you need a masterful facilitator, or want to learn from the best, Patrick is your person".

    Yasmin El Dabi, Executive Coach & Facilitator, Evolving Leadership Ltd

Get in touch ≈

If you are interested in working together, feel free to reach out and schedule a free introductory call at:
patrick@ocean-waves.life

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