“A couple hours of strategy can save months of chaos.”
There is a stage in business growth that catches many leaders off guard. It often shows up when your team reaches around 15 to 20 people. You are no longer a small team where you can manage everything directly. At the same time, you are not yet structured enough to scale easily. Things feel busy, hiring feels urgent, and leadership feels heavier than ever.
Lindsey Bridger-White calls this the messy middle. She is an HR professional that helps business leaders get back to growth in times where they feel stretched or reactive. It’s usually clear when what worked before is no longer enough, but it’s not always easy figuring out the best step forward.
Most business owners start their companies because they are good at their craft. They do not start them with a focus on leading teams. However, growth requires a shift. When it’s time for that leadership must become intentional and structures must become clear.
One of the biggest mistakes at this stage is reactive hiring. You feel the pressure and hire quickly to fill gaps. That often creates more problems instead of solving them. Quality of hire matters more than speed.
The better approach is to pause. Step out of the day-to-day work. Take the time to realign with your vision and clarify your values. Build the structure your business needs for the next stage. Then hire people who fit that structure.
A few hours of focused thinking can prevent months of frustration. The messy middle is not a sign that something is wrong. It is a signal that it is time to lead differently.
Connect with Tim and his team:
Website: https://bestculturesolutions.ca/
LinkedIn: Best Culture Solutions, Inc
Instagram: @best.culture.solutions
Email: tim@bestculturesolutions.ca
Jody Maberry: jodymaberry.com
Katie Currens: katiecurrens.com
Episode Chapters
[02:41] What is the messy middle
[03:54] Leadership challenges at 15 to 20 employees
[05:04] Reactive hiring vs strategic hiring
[06:25] Why culture gets ignored
[09:37] Speed vs quality of hire
[11:40] Cost of hiring mistakes
[14:53] Building a people strategy
[16:52] Structuring for future growth