Government Master Plan

Ever heard a complex idea turned simple with a visual? David Friedberg’s “Three Legs on a Stool” analogy nails it. He explains a government’s “master plan” in one graphic: three sturdy legs (tariffs, reduced taxes, reduced spending) holding up the plan. Easy to get, hard to forget.

Why It Works

• Breaks complexity into three clear pieces
• Uses a physical metaphor people instantly grasp
• Visually balances the idea—shows interdependence
• Memorable and repeatable (great for word-of-mouth)

Real-World Examples

• Apple’s “three-legged stool” for product, people, and process
• McKinsey’s “Three Horizons” model for innovation focus
• Google’s “Three Rs” of employee retention (recognize, reward, respect)
• Shopify’s “three pillars” of merchant success (tools, education, support)

Simple visuals make even massive strategies click fast.