The Magic ‘3’
In a recent speech US President Obama cited something along the following lines, “It doesn’t matter if you are a farmer in Alabama, a car maker in Detroit or a banker on Wall Street, we each have a responsibility to foster and develop all that is good about America…”.
The reference to the farmer, the carmaker and the banker covers a wide and diverse group of his audience. Additionally he uses three different and quite diverse locations. It implies that regardless as to what you do or where you are, you are included. Listen to other good speakers. Our own Prime Minister Hon. John Key does the same occasionally, he uses ‘sets of three’. If a speaker uses one or two then they imply a narrow or limited group. If they use four it then sounds overly embellished and berating the point.
Look at your next presentation and see if there is an opportunity to use the magical ‘group of three’. It will make you sound very impressive.