Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SCCA2103
LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION
GROUP C
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SUBMISSION DATE:
15 MARCH 2020
Barbara Minto's Pyramid Principle
This article offers a practical explanation of the Minto Pyramid Principle, developed
by Barbara Minto. After reading this article, you’ll understand the basics of this
powerful effectiveness and communication tool.
Minto Pyramid Principle, also referred to as the McKinsey’s Pyramid Principle, is a tool used
presentation without omitting important details. The principle of the McKinsey Pyramid is to
cut to the chase in written texts or presentations. This ensures that the audience’s attention is
captured and that a riveting story can be created that’s easy to remember and understand.
The Minto Pyramid Principle is applied by structuring points and arguments after the thesis
statement has been introduced. The information that is presented subsequently branches off to
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‘The Pyramid Principle’, a book written by Barbara Minto, was published in the 1970s
by McKinsey & Company. Barbara Minto was responsible for training new recruits into
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Structure
Writing texts, giving presentations or making recommendations based on the Minto Pyramid
Applying the top-down structure of a pyramid in communication methods means that a direct
answer is given to the question that has been asked. These could also be recommendations,
Minto Pyramid Principle inverts the traditional method that’s used to arrive at a conclusion.
Usually, the conclusion in a text or presentation is given after the facts have been presented,
and all analyses and supporting ideas have been discussed. With her McKinsey Pyramid
Principle, Barbara Minto explains why the answer is first given in a clear and concrete form.
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Only then must the supporting reasons or motivations be given. The first reason for this is to
maximise and effectively use the limited time of the audience. In most conversations with a
supervisor, for instance, recommendations are made. The reason to first make the
recommendation and then offer the motivation is that the supervisors often already see the
This because they think in such a top-down way, focusing on the bigger picture.
Moreover, a direct communication method is more convincing than a conversation that beats
about the bush. A direct communication style is a display of assertiveness and self-
confidence.
Now that the key point has been laid down, the arguments, reasons or motivation for giving
the presentation must be discussed. According to the Minto Pyramid Principle, this level is
about joining all arguments in main points. Each point represents a summary of specific
support for the recommendation or the answer from the first step.
Subsequently, the pyramid branches out from each argument to the lowest level where
supporting details and ideas are given that must show the validity of the presented arguments.
Always first give the summarising idea, on the top of the pyramid. Clarity and logic can be
If the arguments and ideas that are given contain a certain flow, frequency or cause-effect
structure, these must be placed in chronological order. It’s also recommended to first present
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Applicability
It’s not surprising that the pyramid principle arose in the organisational consulting branch.
That’s exactly where larger and more complex writing tasks is the order of the day. By
structuring texts by means of the Minto Pyramid Principle, the texts are shortened, become
clearer and are easier to follow. This also has a great advantage for the writer himself. By
thinking about the cohesion between ideas beforehand, these can be put to paper more
efficiently and the main and auxiliary matters can more easily be distinguished. Facts and
thoughts are organised in a way that makes the text more convincing. Moreover, training with
such a structure also has the benefit of the person choosing his words more carefully in
everyday life, including on the work floor. By removing all irrelevant matters, the core takes
front and centre and the user increases the potential to climb up the hierarchy.
According to Barbara Minto, using the Minto Pyramid Principle offers several advantages
More efficient writing because thoughts and ideas are organised in advance
It helps the reader because reading strategies have been incorporated into the text
itself
Consistent quality
Greater persuasion
The Minto Pyramid Principle matches the way the human brain works
However, there are also disadvantages concerned with the use of the Minto Pyramid
Principle:
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The tool demands a lot of training to create better texts