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Living in the Muddled Middle
What is the Muddled Middle?
The "Muddled Middle" refers to a stage where progress seems stagnant, unclear, or directionless. It's a transition period of messy confusion, where something is no longer at the exciting beginning and hasn’t quite reached a successful ending.
It's the place where you're feeling a mix of uncertainty, frustration, aspiration, and the desire for growth. You've come a long way from where you started – you've acquired skills, you've had wins, but now you're wondering, 'What's next?' It can be tough when the path isn't clear, and it feels like you're just treading water.
Maybe you're not getting the mentorship you need, or you're unsure how to level up your skills.
Or perhaps, you're at a point where you're asking yourself those big career questions:
Do I specialize?
Shift gears?
Step up into a leadership role?
It's a bit like navigating without a map.
What does the Muddled Middle look like for PMs?
Unclear Career Path
You might find it difficult to see the next steps in your career progression, whether that's transitioning to product management from other roles or moving into higher roles within product management.
Lack of Mentorship or Guidance
There might be a shortage of guidance or mentorship available to help you navigate this phase, making it harder to gain the skills and experiences you need to advance.
Skill Development Plateau
There is no shortage of skills you can learn independently, but understanding which skills will help you most as you reach new points in your career is essential. What landed you the APM role won't land you the Senior PM role or beyond.
Knowing and Evaluating Your Options
Decisions about whether to specialize further, pivot to a different role, or pursue leadership positions can become more complex and daunting.
Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
You begin doubting your abilities and the feeling of not being good enough to handle more complex roles can creep in, impacting your confidence and decision-making.
Navigating Organizational Politics and Silos
We will provide guidance on how to navigate the job market and identify potential opportunities. Our team will also help you develop an effective job search strategy and provide feedback on your approach.
From the Muddled Middle to the Momentous Middle
The Momentous Middle
While PM careers can often feel like they are in a muddled middle, in storytelling and writing, the middle is where the magic happens. The middle shapes the story arc and drives the ending – it's full of challenges, growth, and transformation.
In PM careers, I call this the 'Momentus Middle'. While it's a phase possibly marked with confusion or stagnation; it's also where the most significant part of your journey unfolds.
Imagine the Momentus Middle as the heart of your career story, where you gain your momentum by encountering your biggest challenges and experiencing the most growth. It's where you, as a product manager, develop resilience, innovate career solutions, and truly define your path.
The Muddled Middle is SO COMMON. You are not alone.
It's time to create momentum.
How do you create momentum out of an uncertain, confusing, directionless, imposter syndrome-inducing situation?
You set goals. You commit. You act. Rinse and repeat as you watch your momentum build and your goals grow bigger and bigger.
“Whatever beginning goals you set for yourself, following through on them will build momentum and a sense of achievement and those small successes will point the way to bigger ones.” ― Pamela Glass Kelly
But what if your current actions aren't helping you achieve your goals? That's where a strong coach can help you build the momentum you need to keep going.
KVD Coaching packages focus on creating momentum. We work together to identify where you are at, where you want to go, and align on a strategy and goals to get you there. This is why your minimum commitment is 3 sessions.
A coaching investment is one of the most impactful investments you can make. It's having a personal navigator help you
What does the Momentous Middle look like?
Clarified Career Vision
This phase presents a unique opportunity to reflect and gain clarity on your career trajectory. It's a time for envisioning your future in vivid detail – understanding the roles you aspire to and mapping out the path to get there.
Access to Strategic Mentorship
The Momentous Middle opens doors to meaningful mentorship and coaching relationships. These connections offer deep insights, seasoned advice, and the type of guidance that propels you forward.
Skill Expansion and Mastery
Far from a plateau, this stage is ripe for honing existing skills and acquiring new ones. It's about mastering the art of product management, from technical know-how to leadership prowess.
Empowered Decision Making
Here, decision-making becomes a powerful tool. It's about making informed, strategic choices that align with your long-term goals. Whether it's specializing, pivoting, or stepping into a leadership role, each decision is a stepping stone towards greater success.
Networking and Collaboration Growth
The Momentous Middle is rich with opportunities for networking and collaboration. It's a time to build relationships that not only support your current role but also open doors to future possibilities.
Leadership Development
For those eyeing leadership roles, this stage offers the perfect ground to develop and showcase leadership qualities. It's about inspiring teams, leading initiatives, and demonstrating your capability to guide and influence.
Personal Branding and Visibility
The Momentous Middle allows you to establish and strengthen your personal brand. It's an opportunity to become a thought leader in your field, enhancing your visibility and opening up new avenues for career growth.