Confident, composed, clear & convincing. My analysis of RBA Governor’s 1st press conference

Against the benchmark of a credible, believable, self-assured, governor of a central bank, in their first media conference – conveyed through their affect, body language, speech and words – I scored Michele Bullock’s performance in her 6 February, 44 minute press conference, as: 9/10.

Overall, Bullock’s presentation of herself and communication of her ideas was confident, composed, clear and convincing.

Below is further analysis:

Positives areas included:

• A measured, unrushed delivery.
• Listening to questions engagingly, and answering them concisely, with an open, middle close structure.
• Focussed listening.
• Delivering a simple, consistent message.**
• A light, ‘playful’ affect.
• Responding to a question about Taylor Swift in a personable manner.
• An overall open and non-defensive manner with a seeming willingness to stay at the lectern answering questions, until there were no other questions. This manner is ideal for any pressured situation.
• Responding calmly and assertively to challenging questions. For example; “The short answer is, that we didn’t make a mistake.” (view the 8:55 – 9:26 minute section of the clip).

Areas for improvement include the following:

• Bullock began the conference oddly with “Hi” and with laughter, that signalled ill ease and came, most likely, from lack of familiarity with press conferences. An example for opening a press conference is: “Good morning. Thank you for making the time to be here.”
• Gazing downward when pausing before answering a question or when pausing while speaking. Bullock should have kept her head up and while pausing, gazing into space, thoughtfully. A presenter doesn’t get marked down for appearing thoughtful.
• In answering double-barrelled questions, to not apologise for not remembering the second/first question. I suggest Bullock should have answered a first or second question, and then put the onus on the journalist to repeat the other question. For example: “Now, what was the first question?”
• Gesturing in a more disciplined manner and holding gestures in space for a second or two.

(** Luminary researcher Anat Shenker-Osorio maintains, “What is effective in persuasion is to say fewer things and say them more often”.