What does 3 represent in business relationships?
The 3rd wheel is often referred to as an unwanted piece of an equation. A 3rd person usually causes us discomfort because our comfort zone is one-on-one interactions. Having a third person creates a witness, a judge of how we interact. Only in a 3-person setting can true businees accountability be accomplished. A business science can be formulated around the relevance of 3 - The Trilateral Approach.
tri - lat - er - al /traɪˈlætərəl/[trahy-lat-er-uhl] adj. "Having or involving three sides, countries, or parties."
Origin: 1650–60; From Latin trilaterus : tri-, tri- + latus, later-, side.
Wikipedia describes the term "Trilateral" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilateral and makes an interesting point: "Many businesses have recognized the internal progressiveness and trichotomy of 3 leaders".
Can we maintain a 3-point perspective to our business approach and internal relationships? It is often dificcult to be effective in a 2-point relationship, how can we possibly progress to 3?! Smarter not Harder. Sometimes you need to take a step back to see three positions so you don't get stuck in single or double vision.
Create a 3rd person as an "Accountability" partner to a two-person relationship where you have conflict. Bring the 3rd person in equally and you'll see how the problems of 2 quickly dissolve.
