Glossary
Answer first, then reasons, then detail. It’s how consultants are trained to brief busy people.
The pyramid principle comes from Barbara Minto’s work with consultants: lead with the answer, then the reasons that support it, then the detail that supports each reason. Most people speak in the reverse order, narrating their thinking and arriving at the point after everyone has stopped listening. The course’s version is simply conclusion first, because second, detail if asked.
Authority is mostly a speaking pattern, and the pattern is: conclusion first, few words, no hedging. Consultants learn it as the pyramid: give the answer, then the reasons, then the detail. Most people do the reverse. They narrate their thinking and arrive at the point after everyone has stopped listening.