Second-to-None

Fun fact: Tchaikovsky's famous 1812 Overture was not written in 1812. The great composer wrote it in 1880 as a tribute to Russia's successful defense against Napoleon and his attempt to invade that country in - you guessed it - 1812. Here's another one: Aunt Jemima, known for her pancake mix owned by the Quaker Oats Company, was not a real person. Aunt Jemima was a character played by Nancy Green, a former slave from Kentucky who served as the inspiration for the character for over 30 years until her death in 1923.

I mention these two tidbits as examples of how all of us at times take things for granted that turn out not to be true. While Tchaikovsky's masterpiece and Quaker Oats' recipe are innocent enough examples, when it comes to communicating, it is vital that our hold on what is true needs to be as lock-sure as possible. Taking something for granted implies a leap of faith or hope that information one is receiving is all that it seems. Successful communication is built on the premise that all that is put forth is labeled correctly. If it is meant to be a fact, then it is labeled as such. If something is merely a guess or opinion, then it should be presented that way. Receivers of information have a responsibility to make sure what they are taking-in is true.

Of course, those who send out information or messages have an equal responsibility. They need to make sure what they impart is properly labeled without any intent to mislead, deceive or confuse. Without question, truth is the most important ingredient when it comes to communication. Senders and receivers of messages and information share in the responsibility of ensuring that truth takes a backseat to nothing. I concede that such a burden is not easy to carry. At the same time, the benefit - like truth itself - is second-to-none. We owe it ourselves as well as to all communicators everywhere. That, of course, includes everyone.