"If you’re crap on the telly, people think you’re crap at your job."

It’s a line I use often - though, depending on the audience, sometimes with a little more diplomacy. But the truth is universal: a poor media performance can unfairly reflect on your professional competence. It shouldn’t be the case - after all, there’s no real connection between being an effective leader and being a slick on-camera performer - but in the age of relentless media scrutiny, perception is everything.

Which brings us to Canada’s Prime Minister-designate, Mark Carney. No question, the former Bank of England governor has a formidable intellect - a razor-sharp mind capable of dissecting global trends and their impact on his country. But when it comes to delivery? I’m not quite 100% sold yet.

The words in his trade war speech were solid. His forthright, combative approach - telling Donald Trump that “Like hockey, Canada will win” - was a strong soundbite. And yet… somehow, something’s missing. Was it an over reliance on the tele-prompt? On the 'How-He-Comes-Across-ometer', he’s hovering around a 6 out of 10 at present. He needs less academic detachment, more firebrand energy. More ego. Higher charged emotional involvement.

The speed is good, perhaps a little pedestrian, there's no doubt he means it. But he is perhaps borrowing a little too much from the Keir Starmer playbook than developing his own. Trump's not in his league intellectually, but the US President certainly knows how to orchestrate the media.

Now, don’t get me wrong - I like Mark Carney. I’m just not totally convinced by him. But he will get there. I'm sure.