navigating The Messy Middle: Where Real Growth Happens

yourfriends104
Sep 15
3 min read

We love beginnings. They’re full of energy, vision, and promise. We also love endings and the relief of completion, the satisfaction of goals achieved, the clarity of results. But what about the space in between? The messy middle.

The messy middle is that uncomfortable, unpredictable stage of transition where the old way no longer works, but the new way hasn’t fully taken hold. It’s the part of the journey that feels confusing, chaotic, and uncertain. And yet, it’s also the place where the deepest transformation takes root.

Why navigating the messy Middle Feels So Hard

Navigating the Messy Middle: Why It Feels So Hard

Navigating the messy middle disrupts our sense of stability. At the start, we’re fueled by excitement. At the finish, we’re rewarded by closure. But in the middle, routines break down, expectations feel unclear, and progress is hard to measure. It can feel like being stuck in quicksand because you’re working, struggling, but you’re not sure if you’re truly moving forward.

Leaders often want to rush through this discomfort, but here’s the truth: growth doesn’t happen in the neat, predictable stages. It happens in the tension of the unknown.

Lessons from the Messy Middle

Uncertainty is Not Failure
Too often, we confuse struggle with weakness. But uncertainty is part of the process. It’s a signal that you’re stretching beyond what’s familiar. That’s not failure, it’s growth in action.
Acknowledgment Builds Trust
Teams don’t need leaders who pretend everything is fine. They need leaders who acknowledge the reality of the struggle while holding the vision for what’s possible. Honesty creates stability in uncertain times.
Innovation Emerges from Discomfort
When old systems collapse and new ones aren’t yet in place, people are forced to think differently. It’s in this gap that creativity and breakthroughs often appear.

A Lesson I Learned from Chuck Price, MS

One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned about the messy middle came from Chuck Price, MS. Chuck often reminds leaders that the hardest part of change isn’t the beginning or the end, it’s the in-between. He emphasizes that while it’s tempting to rush past discomfort, the messy middle is where growth truly happens.

That perspective has stayed with me throughout my career as an Executive Assistant for over 13 years. Supporting leaders through transitions, restructures, and organizational shifts has taught me that my role isn’t just about managing tasks, it’s about providing steadiness, reassurance, and vision in the very space where others might feel lost.

My Own Messy Middle

I remember one leadership transition in particular. Everything I had built like systems, communication flows, priorities suddenly felt irrelevant. For weeks, it seemed like chaos. But as Chuck’s wisdom suggests, it was in that chaos that growth was taking place. Slowly, by embracing the process instead of resisting it, we created something even stronger than before.

That messy season taught me adaptability, patience, and the value of persistence. It was uncomfortable, yes. But it was also transformative.

Embracing the Mess

If you find yourself in the messy middle right now whether in your career, your team, or your personal life; take heart. This stage is not meant to be skipped over. It’s the bridge between where you were and where you’re going.

Here are a few ways to move through it:

Name what you’re letting go of.
- It’s okay to grieve old systems, roles, or routines. Acknowledgment is the first step to moving forward.
Keep revisiting the vision.
- In times of confusion, clarity comes from remembering the “why.”
Celebrate small wins.
- Progress in the middle doesn’t always look dramatic. Recognize the small steps, they add up.
Offer and seek support.
- Change is easier when shared. Encourage open conversations and provide safe spaces for people to voice concerns.

The Beauty of the Middle

The messy middle will never feel comfortable, but it will always be powerful. It’s where resilience is forged, clarity is discovered, and innovation is born. It’s where the real work of transformation happens.

So, the next time you find yourself stuck in the tension between what was and what’s next, remember: this is not the end of your story, it’s the making of it.