What is the Rule of 3?

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“If you want something stuck in someone’s head, put it in a sequence of three”
Brian Clark – travel writer and digital nomad

Several years ago, I engaged some consultants to review our logistics business. Investigations were made, systems, processes, customers and people were reviewed and a report completed. The single most important lesson I obtained from the review was what they called ‘the rule of three’.

What is that you might ask?

Basically, the assumption is that most people can remember three things. Anymore and the message is quickly lost. Therefore, in formulating any plan or message keep it simple (the KISS principle). Break it down into three actions, messages or goals so it’s easy to remember.

Examples are everywhere from well-known stories to famous quotations;

 Three Little Pigs, the Three Blind Mice, and the Three Wise Men

“Friends, Romans, Countrymen”

“Blood, sweat, and tears”

“Sex, Lies, and Videotape”

Sadly, there are many examples of the opposite, often found in plans compiled by government bureaucracies, consultants and many politicians. One good example is the Australian Government’s Closing the Gap plan for improving the lives of Indigenous Australians. It has ‘19 national socio-economic targets across 17 socio-economic outcome areas’. There is little wonder that only five of the nineteen targets are ‘on track’.

The recent election of Donald Trump as US President is an example of the successful use of the ‘rule of three’. This is not an endorsement of Trump, his character nor methods, but is an example of the success of ‘the rule’. The Republican Party’s message was clear and simple:

  1. Economy – Are you better off than four years ago?
  2. Border Security – over 2 million illegal immigrants entered the country in 4 years
  3. State of the Country – Is the country heading in the right direction?

In breaking down the Economy in message (1) above, it was the cost of living which was further divided into three – petrol, food and housing. A simple message – clear, concise and memorable.

Have you thought about using the ‘rule of three’ to better communicate to your staff or compile a plan of action?

@thenetworkofconsultingprofessionals

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