Recently, the WEST organization, dedicated to promoting the career development of women in STEM in Greater Boston, unveiled an inspiring theme for the 2024-2025 year: Grit, Growth, and Gratitude. If this theme resonates with you as it does with me, the reasons go beyond the words themselves.
The Rule of Three
First, this theme brilliantly employs the “Rule of Three,” a principle that groups concepts into a manageable number. Research shows that human working memory reaches its peak at 3-4 items, making it advisable to communicate in short bursts for ideas to be retained clearly. Additionally, going back to the early days (BCE) of rhetoric, three items are the fewest number to demonstrate a pattern, and groups of three have been inherently more engaging, memorable, and impactful. Think of iconic phrases like “Friends, Romans, countrymen…” (Shakespeare), “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (an iconic Clint Eastwood film), or “location, location, location.”
Rhythm Makes It Stick
Second, the “Rule of Three” in “Grit, Growth, and Gratitude” is enhanced by rhythmic variation, which makes the grouping even more unforgettable. The phrase exemplifies the “short, short, kind of long” rhythm, as described by law professor Patrick Barry in his insightful article on this subject. An example here: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This rhythmic pattern falls under the broader category of “same, same, different,” where the “different” can be used not just for more syllables or words, but to introduce an element of surprise. For example, former UK Prime Minister Disraeli once said, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
Alliteration Adds Unity
Third, the three words are unified through alliteration—the repetition of the initial "G" sound in each word creates a powerful sense of cohesion. Alliteration enriches communication by adding a musical quality to the language, making it more appealing and memorable.
Putting the Rule of Three to Use
The effectiveness of the "Rule of Three" transcends languages, media, and centuries. In my coaching practice, I encourage clients to use the “Rule of Three” in verbal communication. Whether making proposals, answering questions, or presenting topics, focusing on three main points helps you craft a pointed, concise message, and ensures your audience stays with you.
What works in verbal communication often works even better in writing. Consider the following before-and-after sentence examples summarizing results from a clinical study:
BEFORE: As predicted, the study showed that the new treatment contributed to an increasing quality of life because it reduced symptoms and led to better patient outcomes. (OK, but dry and unmemorable)
AFTER: As predicted, the study showed that the new treatment reduced symptoms, led to better patient outcomes, and ultimately increased quality of life. (Stronger and more memorable)
Have the grit to embrace the “Rule of Three” and watch your communication skills grow—your audience will be grateful for the clarity and impact you bring to your message!