A Humorous Lesson in Communication

Repetitive alterations to the content of a discussion (spin) can distort the original intent beyond all recognition.

The Plan

In the beginning was the plan.
And then came the assumptions.
And the assumptions were without form.
And the plan was without substance.
And darkness was upon the face of the workers.
And they spoke among themselves saying, “It is a crock of bull and it stinketh.”
And the workers went unto their supervisors and said, “It is a pile of dung and none may abide the odor thereof.”
And the supervisor went unto their managers and said, “It is a container of excrement and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it.”
And the managers went unto their directors, saying, “It is a vessel of fertilizer, and none may abide its strength.”
And the directors spoke among themselves, saying to one another, “It contains that which aids plant growth and it is very strong.”
And the directors went unto the vice presidents, saying unto them, “It promotes growth and is very powerful.”
And the vice presidents went unto the president, saying unto him, “The new plan will promote the growth and vigor of the company, with powerful effects.”
And the president looked upon the plan and saw that it was good.
And the plan became policy.

The Effect of Spin

Those in charge altered the comments on the plan until the end result was in total opposition to the original intent.  This is a recipe for missing expectations and driving despair into an organization.