Pamela Barnum

Pamela Barnum

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The Trust Agent - Former Undercover Police Officer & Federal Prosecuting Attorney Trust Strategist & Nonverbal Communication Expert

Imagine what it would be like to live as a different person with a different name, identity, and background. For months, you live with a false identity, and your success depends on building trust and detecting deception with some of the most dangerous people imaginable. That’s precisely what Pamela Barnum did for years working undercover in the Drug Enforcement Section. She learned real-world techniques for building trust and interpreting body language.

When Pamela graduated from law school, she left policing and accepted a position as a federal prosecuting attorney. She spent countless hours in the courtroom, perfecting her proficiency as a trust strategist and body language expert.

Following a successful 20-year career in the criminal justice system, Pamela studied corporate negotiations in graduate school. Now, she shares her expertise with others, teaching them how to improve their communication skills to increase trust inside corporations, associations, and law enforcement agencies. She learned quickly how to separate fact from fiction and truth from falsehood.

As a nonverbal communication expert and trust strategist, Pamela delivers techniques once thought of as a “secret second language” participants can begin using immediately.

Take decades of experience in deep undercover work in narcotics and a successful legal career, and you get real-world strategies that help attendees crack the code on trust, improve professional relationships and increase effectiveness using proven field-tested techniques.

Pamela shares her experience, research, and expertise with humor, candor, and energy, blending actionable strategies with memorable stories.

She is also a featured expert and contributor in print media, radio and television news programs in Canada and the United States. In addition, she has appeared in person before live and virtual audiences ranging from 50 – 12,000.

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Speaking topics

CRACK THE CODE: 3D Negotiation Strategies for Powerful Results

Most of our communication is nonverbal, and we miss more than half of the conversation when we ignore what is not being said.
Learn the secret second language reserved for communication experts and law enforcement to communicate confidence, elevate influence, and improve negotiation outcomes.

  • Display calm confidence in every situation. Learn when to move toward, not away from, difficult conversations, making them less stressful and more productive.
  • Decode nonverbal cues with certainty. Understand what is being said, regardless of the words used, resulting in better negotiation outcomes.
  • Deliver results with greater accuracy using science-backed techniques. Confidently assessverbal and nonverbal misrepresentation indicators, bluffing, and lies in real-time.

TACTICAL INFLUENCE: The Art of Persuasion

Most of our communication is nonverbal, yet we spend much of our time focused on crafting the perfect words to negotiate, influence, and sell. We see, but we do not observe. Learn to master the art of persuasion without coercion. Using undercover techniques backed by research,
learn how to influence outcomes critical to long-term success.

  • Authentically leverage talents with intentional communication cues for increased collaboration and quicker decisions. Showcase your genius with humility and conviction in every interaction.
  • React confidently and maintain a solid executive presence in times of uncertainty. Notice essential details in the blink of an eye, turning information into insight.
  • Target the desired outcome with precision using the three-stage formula favored by undercover officers. Discover how to use fear and doubt to supercharge insight and eliminate uncertainty.

TRUST Starts with You: A Blueprint for Excellence

Trust is in crisis, and earning trust has never been more imperative than it is now. Trust reduces risk, improves culture, and increases innovation to prepare for an uncertain future. Master the five qualities that set trusted leaders apart from the rest:

  • Transparent communication. Learn how to establish stability and security in times of uncertainty without overcommunicating or micromanaging.
  • Respect for self and others. Discover how best to use emotional intelligence in life’s most challenging moments.
  • Unimpeachable decisiveness. People do not trust the indecisive or constant change indirection. Learn proven strategies to take you and your team from chaos to cohesion.
  • Self-confidant communication cues that increase rapport and decrease conflict anywhere, anytime.
  • Tact and compassion. Why these traits are scientifically proven to inspire your people to take risks and push beyond their self-imposed limits.

Video clips

Pamela Barnum - Speaker Reel

Pamela Barnum - Virtual Speaker Reel

Speaker testimonials

POWERFUL action steps that can be put into play immediately! You really nailed it Pamela.
You were exactly what we wanted as our keynote speaker and you were a hit with every participant. I really appreciate the energy, enthusiasm, excellent content and delivery that you brought to the event. You are truly unique, accomplished, humble, and funny! Thank you!

Stephanie Spahn, Director of Operations | Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi

Pamela, we are getting rave reviews after your presentation! Thank you again for sharing your experiences. Also, I have had speakers for years and not one of them was as classy as you were. The results of the survey from your speech are in and you scored – Excellent!
You might have broken the record for speakers!

Peter Anthony, President & CEO | UGN, Inc.

Pamela Barnum provided a keynote presentation for our FUBCON event at the Chelsea Theater in Las Vegas, and she was nothing short of amazing! Her energy, stage presentation and strong intellect were front & center from the moment she stepped on stage. She mesmerized the audience with her insights, data points and imagery that resonated with each and every viewer. She has the uncanny ability to keep the audience on the edge of their seats while simultaneously laughing and going, “AHA” that makes so much sense! I’d definitely recommend Pamela Barnum to anyone looking to give their audience something to not only think about, but to apply in their everyday lives.

Stacey Soleil, Head of Community & Industry Relations | Follow Up Boss Inc.

Dynamic. Engaging. Expert. All words used to describe Pamela Barnum by our conference attendees. She took the time to understand our audience, their cultural sensitivities and the information that was most important to them. She molded her presentation with that in mind. Pamela demonstrated total expert knowledge of the topics discussed and interacted with our virtual audiences in meaningful ways earning her the consistent position as highest ranked speaker at our events. Personally, Pamela was a pleasure to work with – accommodating, professional, prompt, and always with a bright smile. Adding Pamela Barnum to your conference keynote lineup will take your event to the next level!

Leslie Simpson, CFE, Director of Events | Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Pamela, Well I must say you have been the easiest speaker I’ve ever worked with in my career!!! When you write your book or have a new topic to talk about we’d love to have you back for a future event.

Bev Sturrok, Executive Administrative Assistant | Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

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