Gaelic bards loved them—because they can be readily memorized.
Roman orators loved them—because they structure ideas.
Modern leaders love them—because they inspire.
In their new book, Communicate to Influence, speech coaches Ben and Kelly Decker urge execs to use triads whenever they prepare a presentation, calling triads the "perfect framework" for sales pitches, product launches, motivational talks and business briefings.
In three short strokes, triads create patterns and rhythms, which makes them inherently more intelligible than longer lists of things.
Triads are also more persuasive and memorable than long data dumps. Just think of the many you remember:
- Veni, vidi, vici
- Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!
- Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
- Liberté, égalité, fraternité
- Government of the people, by the people, for the people
- The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
- Truth, justice and the American way
- Stop, drop and roll
- Wine, women and song
- Location, location, location
