What is the rule of 3 in consulting?
In consulting, the "rule of 3" commonly refers to the practice of simplifying complex ideas into three clear options, priorities, or messages to help leaders make better decisions. The human brain processes and remembers information more easily in groups of three, which is why many effective consultants structure recommendations and executive summaries this way.
You will see the rule of 3 in:
Presenting three strategic options (e.g., focus, expand, or exit) rather than a long menu of possibilities.
Organizing recommendations into three priority tiers: must-do-now, next-wave, and later/optional.
Building frameworks with three pillars or dimensions to anchor complex change.
Using the rule of 3 improves:
Executive clarity and alignment, because leaders can quickly compare and choose between a small number of well-formed paths.
Implementation, because teams know which three priorities matter most in the near term.
The Kindred Clarity Framework reflects this principle:
While the full methodology covers multiple tiers of organizational design, the work is always distilled into a handful of critical leverage points at any given time.
This disciplined focus helps clients avoid "initiative overload" and instead execute three high-impact moves that unlock the next level of growth.
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