My mother in law served in the British Army during the Second World War. She shared this illustration on how a message can become twisted beyond recognition.

The original message from Army Headquarters is: “Bring reinforcements. We are going to advance.”

As the message travels from person to person down the line, it is transformed into: “Bring three and four pence. We are going to a dance.”

The lesson? Check your assumptions. Confirm and, if needed, double-confirm what the message really is, especially when significant issues are at stake. People are not perfect at articulating or at listening, and many tend to hear what they expect instead of what’s actually being said. The rumor mill can turn a molehill into a mountain and vice versa.