The Messy Middle

Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture

By: Scott Belsky

Narrated by: Scott Belsky

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Messy Middle written and read by Scott Belsky.

Silicon Valley is full of start-up success stories; every day stories emerge of a new company with the potential for a billion-dollar valuation and plans for global domination.

But what can we really learn from these stories? How many of these start-ups are genuinely successful in the long term? When nine out of ten start-ups end in spectacular burnout, how can we ensure our own success story?

While most books and press focus on the more sensational moments of creation and conclusion, The Messy Middle argues that the real key to success is how you navigate the ups-and-downs after initial investment is secured. It will give you all the insights you need to build and optimize your team, improve your product and develop your own capacity to lead. Building on seven years' of meticulous research with entrepreneurs, small agencies, start-ups and billion-dollar companies, Scott Belsky offers indispensable lessons on how to endure and thrive in the long term.

©2018 Scott Belsky (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

This is required reading for founders. Experienced entrepreneurs all know this period Scott refers to as 'the messy middle' and a few of us have worked our way out of it, but this is the first time I've seen an expert-both as a founder and as an investor-break down in such detail just how to endure, optimize, and make it through. (Alexis Ohanian)

Scott Belsky is a master of generous work worth doing. The Messy Middle will help you see that you have more control than you dare to admit, and the ability to make a difference if you care enough. (Seth Godin)

Building a lasting business is 1 percent idea and 99 percent resilience. The Messy Middle details the unglamorous but essential lessons every founder needs to learn. (Jennifer Hyman)

Starting a new venture is like jumping off a cliff and sewing a parachute on the way down. This book is the parachute. (Joe Gebbia)

Having been through the ups and downs of the messy middle many times, it's critical to understand the challenges ahead. This insightful book empowers you to approach them head-on. Belsky's powerful tool kit, based on hard-earned experiences, is an essential guide to building a compelling product, revolutionizing an organization, or growing your leader-ship abilities. (Tony Fadell)

Goosebumps! What a great story and book.

I’ve just completed reading this book, and much of its content resonates with me. As a creative individual who frequently grapples with the non-linear and chaotic nature of creative projects, and as someone transitioning into a leadership role, I found it particularly relevant. The book unveils a wealth of research and insights, providing guidance on how to optimize the highs and lows of the creative process. It serves as a compass, offering advice on perseverance, patience, creativity, humility, and leadership. There were numerous instances throughout the book where I was so inspired that I got goosebumps. It’s the kind of book that leaves you wanting more, and I will undoubtedly revisit it due to the abundance of valuable content it contains. Scott is indeed a great inspiration for the creative community!