The Messy Middle Matters

The Messy Middle Matters

By People | Process | Things — Indra KlavinsBusinessCareers
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The Messy Middle Matters episodes

  • Ep 04: Making the Invisible Work Count (Glue Work)

    Some work is easy to measure—deadlines met, projects delivered, goals achieved. But what about the work that holds everything together?

    In this episode, Indra and Amanda discuss their journey of recognizing Glue Work, the often invisible tasks that keep teams functioning but rarely get acknowledged. They share how naming this work was a crucial first step and explore strategies to make it visible, valued, and recognized as a part of career growth.

    This is just the beginning of a much bigger conversation, because no one should have to choose between doing the work that keeps teams thriving and advancing in their careers.

     

    Helpful Links

    • For more about the Glue Work Framework, including upcoming webinars: www.thegluework.com or https://www.peopleprocessthings.com/glue-work 
    • Indra's latest blog post about the Glue Work Framework: https://medium.com/@indrapendence/making-the-invisible-work-count-1f7dcb9f794c
    • The Messy Middle Matters Glossary: www.themessymiddlematters.com/glossary
    • Feedback for Indra & Amanda:  www.themessymiddlematters.com/feedback
    • 27 min
    • Ep 03: The Overdiagnosis of Impostor Syndrome

      Impostor syndrome is often framed as an internal struggle, but what if the real issue isn’t impostor syndrome, but something else?

      In this episode, Indra and Amanda explore the fine line between impostor syndrome and the discomfort of learning something new. 

      They also share a real-life workplace experience where they initially thought they were battling self-doubt—only to uncover a deeper, systemic issue at play. They walk through how they gathered the right people, documented the challenge, and ultimately realized the problem wasn’t what it seemed. 

      Join us as we discuss the power of reframing workplace struggles and why caring for the collective leads to better outcomes for everyone.


      Things mentioned in our episode:

      • Glossary of Terms
      • It's Great to Suck at Surfing
      • Feedback
      • 25 min
      • Ep 02: Words Matter

        The way we define and communicate ideas—whether through common language, acronyms, or company-specific terms—shapes how we work together. Without a shared vocabulary, teams risk misalignment, confusion, and even chaos.

        In this episode, we explore why shared understanding is foundational to navigating the messy middle. We’ll dig deeper into what the messy middle really means and why it deserves an entire podcast. When we can name and define the challenges we face, we gain the clarity needed to move forward—together.

        Join us as we unpack the power of language, alignment, and shared meaning in the moments that matter most.


        Useful Links:

        • Words Matter Merch: shop.themessymiddlematters.com/collections/words-matter 
        • The Messy Middle Matters Glossary: www.themessymiddlematters.com/glossary
        • Feedback for The Messy Middle Matters: www.themessymiddlematters.com/feedback
        • 35 min
        • Ep 01: Welcome to The Messy Middle

          The messy middle—it’s that chaotic, uncertain, sometimes frustrating space between where you started and where you want to be. It’s the part of the journey that rarely makes it into the highlight reel, but it’s where the real work happens.

          In this first episode, we introduce The Messy Middle Matters and why this often-overlooked stage of work and life deserves more attention. We’ll share our experiences navigating the messy middle, what draws us to these conversations, and who we hope to highlight.

          If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re in the thick of it with no clear way forward—this podcast is for you. Welcome to The Messy Middle Matters. Let’s dig in.

          13 min

        About The Messy Middle Matters

        From the publisher's feed

        Some of the most important conversations about work aren't happening out loud.