Nature Abhors a Vacuum

Prov. "If there is a gap, something will fill it."

What has this got to do with managing?

When your team doesn’t get enough communication, they will make stuff up to fill the gaps.  To test your vacuum, ask this question at your next meeting: 

“What have you heard through the grapevine?” 

Make time to hear your audience out and really listen as they share any assumptions, rumors, or gossip. Then debunk where necessary.

Long-term solution:  Email, talk, ping, text, and communicate more than you think you need to. Human nature also abhors a vacuum.