Leaders Use The-Rule-of-Three

Are you familiar with the-rule-of-three? While you may not be able to quote the rule, you have encountered it in different environments.

One of my earliest encounters with the-rule-of-three was in elementary school, where I learned the phrases: stop, drop, and roll, and ready, set, go.

While I experienced the-rule-of-three multiple times as a child, I first heard the phrase “the-rule-of-three” in math class. Now don’t freak out, I am not going to ask you to solve a math problem. In Algebra class, you learned to solve for an unknown number (x) when you know the value of three variables (a, b, and c).

You may have also learned about the-rule-of-three in writing, which suggests using a trio of characters or events enhances the story. The-rule-of-three is used in storytelling, fairy tales, speech writing, songwriting, and comedy.

The examples below are common phrases which follow the-rule-of-three:

• “I came, I saw, I conquered” -Julius Caesar
• Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• Lights, camera, actions
• Mind, body, spirit
• The good, the bad, the ugly

My favorite implementation of the-rule-of-three is in the field of design and decoration. The philosophy is that odd numbers expand and create more energy, while even number contract and condense. The rule applies to every room in your home. Next time you enter a room, look around for examples of the-rule-of-three.

In his article, Follow The Timeless Wisdom Of “The-Rule-Of-Three,” Fred Hassan offers specific examples of how CEO’s can use the-rule-of-three to build a high-performance culture. For example, when assessing potential team members, Hassan looks for behaviors that mirror the organization’s values of passion, courage, and tenacity.

So, what is the-rule-of-three? The rule is based on the Latin phrase “omne trium perfectum” which translates to “everything that comes in threes is perfect, or, every set of three is complete.

Why is the use of the-rule-of-three so prevalent? The rule is based on research. The human brain enjoys patterns. Our minds naturally organize information into patterns so that they can process and retain information. The smallest number in a pattern is three, hence the-rule-of-three.

“If you want something stuck in someone’s head, put it in a sequence of three.”

Brian Clark

The-rule-of-three is everywhere! As a leader, you can lead your team by using the-rule-of-three.

Are you using the-rule-three to lead your team?

#YourLeadershipGuide
Kim

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