TLDR: Onramp, list of three, explain, example, test for reaction.
Do you speak to think, or think to speak?
Have you ever asked someone a question, let’s say in an interview, and they ramble and wind through their answer hoping to stumble upon their own brilliance?
Or maybe your teacher or boss once told you:
You should think before you speak!
Personally, I think that’s misguided.
I’m not suggesting you give up on preparation or thoughtfulness, but being able to think on your feet is a strength, and harnessing that into effective communication is a superpower.
One effective way to do this is to framework your answers.
The tactic goes something like this:
Onramp (I think about that in three ways…)
Made-Up Framework (Rule of Three)
Explain (briefly explain the framework)
Example (illustrate a time you were right)
Test for Reaction (see if it landed)
Pretty simply: qualify what you’re about to say, list the three things you’re going to talk about, explain why those three things are important, give an example, and then make sure it landed.
It’s almost like a grade school essay. Tell them what you’re going to say. Say what you’re going to say. Tell them what you said.
By making up a “Rule of Three” framework as the opening to your answer, you also create guardrails for yourself on how much speaking & thinking you need to do.
Works like a charm, and you will (almost certainly) sound brilliant.
…Or, at least better than you would have if you had gone the long-winded-speaking-to-think-route.
See you Monday.
This is brilliant! I would love to learn more about frameworks or hacks for organizing thoughts and responses for maximum impact.