People, in my most humble personal opinion -- both as a lowly polygraph operator and as a full member in good standing of the American Polygraph Association -- this development is most significant.

Before we go on, please fasten your seat belts.

In a refreshing, albeit unexpected, dose of reality, newly installed American Polygraph Association president Walt Goodson clearly stated what, in his experience, matters most in the polygraph suite: swagger, confidence and command presence.

Say what?

Goodson, in his speech to attendees at last month's APA national seminar in Chicago, went on to assert that "Such confidence and communication in the polygraph suite will generate more success than 10 college degrees."

I am not making this up.

Goodson further suggested that special training would soon be available to enhance examiner skills in that regard. I can't wait to sign up, so stay tuned.

APA president Walt Goodson's speech appears in the current edition of the APA's Polygraph magazine, released just yesterday. 

The same issue is also chockablock with Chairman Raymond Nelson's one-size-fits-some theories of allegedly "norm-referenced" alpha settings, p-value, statistical significance, and other such gobbledygook.

I urge everyone with an interest in polygraph to carefully read APA president Walt Goodson's speech. 

The American Polygraph Association Polygraph magazine is available via www.polygraph.org. Reach out to manager@polygraph.org for delivery details and pricing.