Using the rule of 3 – A formula for clear, structured and confident communication 

Have you ever wondered why people don’t really listen to you or simply overlook you in meetings and discussions? Perhaps you’re one of those people who have difficulty getting their ideas across in a clear, confident and concise way.  Or, you might tend to ramble on and think out loud while others try and figure out what you’re saying.

No matter your situation, failing to speak with clarity and confidence leads to disengaged listeners, a lost message, and missed opportunities to establish yourself as the leader you aspire to be. 

So, if you want to enhance your executive presence I’d like to share a very simple tool –  the “Rule of 3”.

Actually, it’s so simple that you might think it simplistic.  But hear me out, as it’s had a very beneficial impact on many of my clients who were in the same predicament. 

Before I share it, let me just set a preamble:

Communicating intelligently is the art of taking the endless strands of thought-yarn drifting through your mind and crafting them into something cohesive, intelligible and tangible for others.

In other words, it is your responsibility to deliver to your listeners a result that’s gone through a process of editing first, so they can enjoy the final version – and vision.

The Rule of 3 is a simple yet powerful rhetorical device that breaks your message into three manageable parts – easy for you to formulate, and equally easy for the audience to follow. Let me give you an example for the following scenario: 

You’re in a meeting, and you want to share or comment on something. Rather than worrying about making a sensational contribution and passing up the opportunity to speak, you try this very structured approach: 

“I’d like to add something. Firstly, Jean made some great additions to the project.  Secondly, I think they’ll have a positive impact on our client base, and lastly, we should share this with the Director.”

3 clear and concise ideas. What you said wasn’t monumental, but you articulated them in a way that demonstrates clarity and confidence.

Here’s another example:

“I agree with the need to move on, at the same time, I have a few concerns with the scope of change: Firstly, we won’t be able to meet the deadline. Secondly, it requires that we exceed our allotted funds significantly. And finally, we need to make sure the change is aligned with our clients’ needs.”

You may think this is formulaic.  And it is.  The key is that by applying the Rule of 3, you create mental reference points that bring greater clarity to your own thinking—and make it easier for others to follow. Once you feel secure enough about this framework, you can drop the numbers, and the crutch altogether.

The Rule of 3 is all about giving yourself the space to speak confidently, especially under pressure. A robust, well-articulated vision is ultimately how you make your mark – it sets you apart, and it’s a powerful tool for inspiring confidence.

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*The Rule of 3 goes back to the Latin phrase Omne trinum est perfectum and translates as “Everything in threes is perfect/complete”. This principle is found today in anything from speeches, entertainment to marketing. It suggests that humans are more likely to follow and retain information if laid out in 3 entities or segments. 

Examples:

  • The 3 steps for earthquake safety – Drop/Cover/Hold on
  • Nike slogan –  Just Do It 
  • 3-Act operas, plays, etc.
  • Folklore: The 3 Little Pigs, The 3 Musketeers, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears etc.