When everything feels messy, finding the truth means slowing down and sorting the facts. First, look at the source—ask if it’s reliable or just adding to the noise. Trusted experts, official statements, and solid evidence always matter more than hearsay. Then, cross-check. If multiple reliable sources say the same thing, it’s likely true. Pay attention to timing—newer updates might have more accurate details. Don’t jump to conclusions; in a crisis, things change fast. Stay calm, ask clear questions, and focus on what’s confirmed, not what’s just being guessed. The truth takes patience, but it’s worth it to act wisely. Never jump on the first instance and for me, being calm is a task. But my minor in crisis communication helps me with it.

During the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, I came across a viral image claiming to show devastation in Gaza. Before sharing, I reverse-searched the image and found it was from a 2014 incident. Cross-checking with verified news outlets like Reuters confirmed it was unrelated to the current crisis. In emergencies, misinformation spreads fast. My strategy: pause, verify, and share responsibly.

Fact checking and being calm helps during crisis. There was a time when an ex- colleague told me that to survive in an organization where people do a lot of politics, it is important to document everything timely. This practice helped me come out of a crisis once as my documents were upto date. I think one needs to have organizational skills to manage a crisis.

Physically place yourself and command &!control node as close to the cusp of the emergency as possible. This reduces delays and helps leverage your natural sensors to help filter fact from fiction.

1. *Check credibility*: Ensure the source is reputable, trustworthy, and has a track record of accuracy. 2. *Look for corroboration*: See if other credible sources are reporting the same information. Evaluate Information 1. *Assess the context*: Consider the timing, location, and circumstances surrounding the information. 2. *Watch for red flags*: Be cautious of information that seems too good (or bad) to be true, or contains grammatical errors, inconsistencies, or biases. 3. *Check for primary sources*: See if the information is based on primary sources, such as eyewitness accounts, official reports, or data. 1. *Seek out subject matter experts*: Consult with experts in the relevant field to gain a deeper understanding of the situation.

First, take five. Step away from the chaos to clear your mind. There’s no need to rush into decisions, especially not in the heat of confusion. When you’re ready to return, start by identifying your key stakeholders. Limit the group to no more than 8 — it’s easier to manage and keeps things focused. Meet with them and present the current narrative. Facilitate a discussion to uncover and agree on a single truth everyone can align with. Once that truth is established, ensure the entire group commits to it and moves forward together.

Make sure you have adequate resources to corroborate information across multiple sources, verify sources, and seek expertise, all at the same time. In a crisis, you need accurate information at speed, so having the resources to pursue multiple actions simultaneously is critical.

When a teacher in a classroom hears everyone screaming, 'Ma’am, I know who ate the cake!', she faces a similar crisis. One says it was Rohan; another says, 'The dog!' Here’s what I would do: 1) Shut down the noise—'Everyone zip it!' 2) Find the most trustworthy student (usually the quiet one). 3) Check my own CCTV (read: facts). In any crisis, same thing works - First, quieten the chaos, then find reliable voices, and validate. As a communication coach, I tell my teams, ‘Don’t jump at every shiny headline—dig for the hidden, boring truth.’ Chaos feeds on confusion, but clarity is your magnifying glass! If this clicks, you'll like the podcast- Communicate101: Speaking Writing Tips. Trust me!

Determine core facts in context that cannot be easily contested, are seen to be useful to inform understanding and decisions and are from credible and authoritative source. Be open to what is more difficult to establish yet on balance provides a reasonable basis to move forward. Avoid being sidetracked or lost in what is more readily contested. Be receptive to a range of ideas and ask for support in what needs most attention. Offer to investigate further other options but impress the need for timely action. Acknowledge that further review points will be appropriate but determine the timing, based on priorities.