Point first, then the reasons

Lead with your point, signpost, and group your ideas in threes. Lesson 33 of 70: Articulation, every level.

Point first

Say your conclusion first, then the reasons: “We should launch in May. Three reasons: the team is ready, the season is right, and the budget allows it.” Listeners hold on to the point while the reasons arrive; told the other way round, they wait for the point and miss the reasons. At work this is called the bottom line up front.
My answer is yes, for two reasons. (Point, then a promise of reasons)

Tell people where you are: “First… second… finally”, “The problem is… the solution is…”, “On one hand… on the other…”. Group ideas in threes where you honestly can: three feels complete and is easy to remember. End by repeating the point in one line.
First, the cost. Second, the time. Finally, the risk.
So, in short: May, for those three reasons. (The point again)
Open palms: Honest and inviting: “here is what I think”. The most useful gesture there is.
Fingertips together: Thoughtful and confident: “I am considering this carefully.” Overdone, it can look smug.
Tip: When you are asked something hard, buy a second (“Good question”), say your point in one sentence, give up to three reasons, and stop.

Answer each of these in under a minute, point first, with three reasons and the point again: “Should our office move to a four-day week?”, “What is the best way to learn a language?”, “Which city should we hold the next event in?”
Every answer opened with the point
I used signposts for the reasons
I ended by repeating the point
Each answer was under a minute

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