In the newsroom, we have a saying when we’re chasing a story or trying to crack a new angle: “Throw all the spaghetti up against the wall and see what sticks.”

It’s a funny visual—no one wants pasta on their newsroom walls—but it’s the best way I know to describe experimentation. And it’s not just for journalists. It’s for anyone stepping into leadership, turning a page in their career, or writing the next chapter of their life.

The Myth of the Perfect Plan

When I first became a news director, I thought I needed to know everything. Have the perfect plan. Chart the perfect path. And I learned fast that the real world doesn’t work that way.

Markets shift. Audiences surprise you. People leave. New ideas emerge. The same goes for our personal and professional growth. Whether we’re building a team, launching a business, or navigating a reinvention, it’s rare that the first draft of anything is the one that sticks.

Leadership—and life—isn’t about certainty. It’s about curiosity.

Test, Learn, Iterate

In newsrooms, we pitch dozens of story angles. We try headlines, images, formats. We test different talent in front of the camera. And we’re relentless about one thing: learning what actually works.

That same approach fuels effective leaders and innovators. The best leaders aren’t the ones who avoid mistakes—they’re the ones who try, study the outcome, and adjust quickly.

Researchers call this “learning agility.” It’s the muscle that lets you pivot when reality smacks your plan in the face. In business, this is the essence of agile methodology, design thinking, or even the “minimum viable product” concept in startups: get something out there, measure the response, and iterate fast.

Throw the spaghetti. See what sticks. Learn why some noodles fall.

Permission to Try (and Fail)

But here’s the part many people miss: experimenting takes permission.

* Permission to not know the answer yet.

* Permission to be seen trying.

* Permission to fail in small, smart ways so you can win bigger later.

I’ve seen talented professionals stay stuck because they’re waiting for a “perfect” idea before taking action. The irony is that clarity usually comes from action, not before it.

The New Chapter Mindset

If you’re stepping into a new chapter—a new role, a new city, a new purpose-driven mission—this mindset matters even more. Reinvention isn’t about certainty; it’s about curiosity and courage.

* Launch the pilot program.

* Test the new product.

* Write the first page of the book.

* Raise your hand for the stretch project.

* Record the video even if it’s imperfect.

Some things will flop. Others will stick. And the ones that stick will shape your new chapter far better than any five-year plan sitting in a drawer.

A Latina Perspective: Spaghetti and Sazón

As a Latina, I’ve sometimes felt pressure to get it right the first time—to prove myself, to avoid wasting anyone’s time or resources. But over the years, I’ve learned that creativity and innovation thrive on trying many flavors, adding a little sazón here, a dash of confidence there, and being willing to taste-test along the way.

If the spaghetti doesn’t stick? Wipe down the wall. Boil another pot.

Because sometimes, the messiest kitchens produce the most delicious meals—and the bravest leaders.

So, what spaghetti are you willing to throw today?

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