I am learning this great simple trick from my boss about managing any discussion

It works in any setting: one-on-one, or if you are dealing with many people; if you’re discussing something routine or in an agitated debate.

He’s a great boss by the way. I’m involved in several consulting projects. Some I do on my own, some — with partners or bosses. This guy also happens to be the most professional. Structured, patient, eloquent, upfront yet always respectful and composed.

His method of leading a discussion is so structured, that it can appear too mechanical, and too predictable.

But it works!

Whether he initiates a meeting or responds to someone, after listening carefully, he says this:

I see four things… Or there are four points.

Or I have three things…

Number one is …

He doesn’t immediately reveal what his three or four points are. He says how many he has, then starts going through them, one by one. That way there is an element of suspense. You are engaged. You have to listen to him talk about his thing #1, to find out what his thing #2 is. For each of his points, he offers a way to move forward, or if there is no immediate solution, he says just that — we don’t have an immediate solution, but we will discuss this point separately.

It’s genius! You are immediately managing a discussion in a structured way. Maybe this structure is genuine, maybe it’s…