What is a ‘Personal Triad’ statement?

It is a very concise three-part statement that presents who you are and your key passions. A personal triad statement uses the ‘rule of three’ to create a handy and intriguing method for answering those ‘tell me about yourself’ situations. When effectively delivered, you can add a set of supporting comments for each of the triad points. This technique sets a positive agenda for engagement. It requires some honest forethought; and may even help you better understand your journey and mission.

An unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates

The Triad at Work:

Here is an example of a personal triad with supporting information.

Personal triad =

I am Neal Ostman, CPA, and Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory. I come from the country’s heartland, have been schooled in the commercial world; I consider myself a pathfinder, lover of words, and family.

Heartland > raised in Indiana – lived some of my ‘wonder years’ (grades 6 to 10th) outside of Washington, D.C. Graduated from Indiana University.

Commercial world > I am a CPA and Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor (CM&AA). For the last 20+ years, I have been a CFO in the healthcare services sector. Before that, I held financial management and analytical positions in the food manufacturing and restaurant industry.

Personal drivers > I am a solutions seeker and a leader who builds effective teams. Poetry and philosophy give me guidance and energy. I am committed to my family and faith.

How it works:

The triad’s first two statements answer two of the most common introductory questions people. The third statement must convey a fundamental passion or essential aspect of your life and character. It will often provide a thread for someone to ask for more information. Let’s look at each of the three:

1. Where are you from?
   Where did you experience the early realities of your youth? Start with the place of your childhood, and then move to where you are or have been recently. A chronological approach starting with your early life is the natural anchor for the listener to follow your narrative – like all stories – the personal triad has a beginning, middle, and end.
2. What have you been doing?
   Speak to the engagements in your life and hint at the value you bring. This statement is more about your external activities- at work or in the community. It is ok to mention a course change if that occurred, but NOT tragedies or betrayals. In first impressions, listeners want to hear positive outcomes. That helps them become more comfortable engaging with you.
3. What are your passions?
   Here is where you will likely need to spend some reflective time on what drives you – if you haven’t already. What excites you gives you energy, makes you jump out of bed in the morning? What are those things you hold dear and will willingly sacrifice to achieve or protect? These are the internal, personal motivations that drive you – that make you – well, you.These can be past accomplishments or goals you are committed to achieving. Here again, mention a few things- but don’t give a list of all the things that make you happy. Focus on what is most important to your head and heart.

Why this ‘triadic’ approach?

We like to process information quickly- therefore, getting it in a concise and orderly manner scores points with the listeners. It allows them to find areas of compatibility or promptly grasp the issue they want to explore. It enables them to frame a response or question with less effort.

More importantly, giving someone a ‘whole’ picture helps fix you in their memory. By offering ‘completeness,’ you appear confident, open and truthful. Listeners like to believe they hear the whole story and discover what’s most important about a person. This triadic approach makes your presentation a complete story in their mind – past, skills, and future. Additionally, giving a concise, organized statement about yourself shows you are a thoughtful person – further encouraging their trust and acceptance.

This approach gives you a confident opening and will help expand the conversion to your benefit. Because you have thought about each of these three parts, you will have examples for each area when asked. They will come to your mind quickly so that you can tell them with energy and enthusiasm. Frame up two to three points or events that affirm each of the triad’s areas. Mention those as needed and stop – don’t overwhelm the listeners.

While you build this personal triad, you may find a story—a thread that weaves events and accomplishments leading to who you are today! Perhaps you never realized it. With your introductory triad now in place, you can focus on those key passions which will take you to your desired tomorrow.

“Worry not that no one knows of you; seek to be worth knowing.” Confucius