(I first shared these thoughts on LinkedIn over the weekend, but wanted to ensure they reached my regular readers here)

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett’s first major speech: 8/10

I analysed new AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett’s National Press Club speech on 29 October against what matters most in a senior public official’s first major address: believability, credibility, and presence conveyed through body language, speaking style, and manner.

Barrett’s serious demeanour, measured cadence, even vocal tone and disciplined gesturing matched the gravity of her content. This speech will be a defining point in her career.

WHAT Barrett did well:

• After initial acknowledgments, she quickly shifted to a sober tone, warning the audience her message would be confronting.

• Her statement “You can trust me as your AFP Commissioner” was powerful. People will believe a speaker’s certainty. There was no doubt Barrett was certain of her words.

• Her delivery reminded me of a line from Anna Funder’s ‘All That I Am’: “In the company of someone so honest, so intelligent and so practical, doubt felt unworthy.”

• At the 8-minute mark, the camera cut to the audience. The effect of Barrett’s words was palpable in their faces, stillness and quiet.

• At certain points, Barrett seemed like a barrister prosecuting a case the jury was certain to convict.

AREAS for improvement:

• The extensive list of acknowledgments at the start diluted the opening’s impact and lost attention.

• The speech contained too many self-congratulatory remarks about the AFP.

• It needed editing. The graphic content and examples wore on the audience, undermining the final minutes’ impact.

• During Q&A, Barrett weakened her delivery by gazing downwards while speaking.

• Some answers were verbose.

A final note. Moderator Tom Connell’s “crypto cracker movie” remark after Barrett’s speech was crass and ill-suited given the grave issues she had just addressed.

Here is a LINK to the speech

Own the Conversation

Implementation idea:

What aspect of Barrett’s delivery could you adapt to your delivery?