You’re settled into the meeting, neatly ticking off the agenda items and thinking about getting back to your desk when you hear the chairman of the meeting mention your name. “Now,” he says, “We’d just like a quick update on where we are with the widget project. Over to you.” This wasn’t pre-planned and you weren’t expecting to have to contribute today. So, what do you do? How do you handle the impromptu talk/speech/contribution?

Here’s a simple but effective technique: pose three questions (to which you know the answers!) and answer them. Succinct and compelling. So, in this instance, the questions might be ‘What has been achieved on the project to date? What are we working on currently? When do we expect to complete it?’ Answer each question in turn and then, conveniently, shut up. The impression given will be that you are in control and, despite no warning of the question, fully up to speed. It is bound to reflect well on both you and the project/team. (Here, I am of course pre-supposing that it’s progressing well. If it’s got stuck then your questions and answers will need to reflect that and you’ll be in the business of managing expectations.)

It works this way. By asking yourself three questions you give yourself a vital moment or two to think about the answers and you provide a mini-agenda at the same time. This is important because you, and your audience, will know when you’ve said enough. Many impromptu replies tail off and finish with a shrug and “that’s about it, really.” Nowhere near as convincing. One significant caveat is that you mustn’t overstretch yourself with the questions, particularly the third question. Tempting though it is to shoot for the stars and ask out loud “.. and why this widget will beat ALL the global competition” it may just be beyond you to provide a polished line or two in response. Go for something within your grasp. If they’re interested, and they’re pretty much bound to be impressed at least, then there may be a follow up question or two anyway.

One of the reasons why this apparently simple technique is so impressive is that it is another example of the power of the ‘rule of three‘, whereby we instinctively acknowledge the symmetry inherent in a list, say, of three things. Be they words or phrases, or out into the physical, metaphysical and spiritual worlds. The number three is significant. There is much that has been written on it and a simple search will reveal just how widespread and adaptable this rule is.

‘Three definitely is the dynamic principle itself; and “three,” says Balzac, “is the formula of all creation”.’ R.Allendy, Le Symbolisme des Nombres (1948)

Try it for yourself. Ask a friend or colleague to remember three things (it might be film titles) and then ask them 10 minutes or so later to recall them. Or much later if that’s practicable. Then try the same experiment with a list of four similar things. Apply the same rule and see what happens.

So, for that next impromptu speaking event, stick with the rule of three and you’ll be in the best company possible. Do you have an instance of it working for you?