There are moments in life that sneak up and teach you something when you least expect it.
Mine just happened over a lunch plate of spaghetti.

Yes… spaghetti.

I was out with friends at a local Italian restaurant, ready for a comforting, classic plate of pasta. I scanned the menu, noticed TWO different spaghetti listings — one labeled “Spaghetti” and one labeled “Italian Spaghetti” — and did the reasonable thing. I asked our waitress if there was a difference between the two.

With confidence, she said, “Nope. They’re the same.”

Great, I thought. Easy choice. Bring on the spaghetti.

Except… what arrived was not the spaghetti we all grew up eating.

I twirled the first forkful, took the first bite, and immediately felt every taste bud on my tongue scream, “WHAT IS HAPPENING?!”

The sauce had cinnamon in it.
CINNAMON.
Not on French toast. Not in apple pie. Not in beloved Christmas snickerdoodles.

IN THE SPAGHETTI!

My coworkers watched my face contort into what I can only describe as the universal “oh NO NO NO” expression. Naturally, they all wanted to try a bite to confirm whether it was truly that bad.

Spoiler:
It was.
We unanimously decided this was not the hill Italian cuisine needed to die on.

But here’s where the story gets interesting.

When the waitress came back, she casually mentioned, “Yeah… people usually either love it or hate it.”

And all I could think was:
Then why didn’t you tell me that when I ASKED if there was a difference?!

That would have been a perfect time to say,
“Our spaghetti has a unique twist — a hint of cinnamon. Some folks adore it, some don’t.”

Nothing dramatic.
No long explanation needed.
Just a tiny bit of information so I could make a good decision.

Instead… I got blindsided by cinnamon.

And this, my friend, is where the leadership lesson shows up.

The Cinnamon Principle of Communication

Every workplace has its version of the “secret ingredient.”
Something leaders know… but maybe don’t say.
Something that could completely change someone’s experience — if only they were told.

When people ask questions, they’re trying to make the best decisions they can. They’re trying to avoid surprises. They’re looking for clarity.

Leaders who withhold the “cinnamon moments” — intentionally or unintentionally — create:

• Confusion
• Frustration
• Mistrust
• Misaligned expectations
• Unnecessary disappointment

Because here’s the truth:

Transparency isn’t just nice — it’s essential.
Clarity isn’t optional — it’s leadership.

Communication doesn’t fail from what we SAY.
It fails from what we don’t say.

If You’re a Leader, Ask Yourself:

• Am I giving my team all the details they need?

• Do people find out “surprises” only after they take the first bite?

• Are there expectations, decisions, or changes I haven’t clearly explained?

• Do I assume people “just know” something because I know it?

• Are my actions creating trust — or accidental cinnamon?

Your people shouldn’t learn the truth only after they’ve invested their time, energy, or reputation.

Prevent the Cinnamon Moments

Strong communication cultures are built on:

1. Clear Expectations

Tell people what success looks like — and what the roadblocks are.

2. Honest Conversations

Share the information that impacts them, even if it’s awkward or unpopular.

3. Proactive Transparency

Don’t wait for people to discover surprises on their own.

4. Psychological Safety

Make it normal (and welcome!) for team members to ask questions.

5. Trust Through Information

When employees have the full story, they can make better decisions — and feel more confident doing so.

Because Here’s What Leaders Sometimes Forget

People aren’t afraid of cinnamon.
They’re afraid of not being told the cinnamon is coming.

Surprise people with appreciation.
Surprise them with growth opportunities.
Surprise them with kindness.

But don’t surprise them with the information they needed upfront.

Your team will remember how you made them feel… and they’ll absolutely remember when something leaves a bad taste in their mouth.

Final Thought

Lunch may have been a bust, but it served up a lesson worth savoring:

Great leaders communicate the ingredients before people take a bite.
Because clarity builds trust — and trust builds culture.

And if you ever see me ordering spaghetti again, please check in on me.
I’m still recovering from Cinnamon-Gate 2025. 😂🍝

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