Every organisation has an unofficial communication network. The challenge is that it usually becomes most effective when transparency is lacking and official communication is slow, incomplete or unclear.

A lack of transparency creates an information vacuum, and information vacuums seldom remain empty for long. People naturally try to make sense of uncertainty by sharing information, asking questions and speculating to fill the gaps themselves. Whilst the bush telegraph isn't always accurate, it is remarkably effective at exposing where communication has fallen short.

Effective organisations don't try to eliminate rumours, they reduce the need for them by deploying clear, timely and transparent communication that builds trust. Delayed, selective or incomplete communication creates the conditions where speculation thrives.

The bush telegraph isn’t the problem, it’s usually a symptom of one.