The Messy Middle Matters podcast shines a much-needed spotlight on the workplace’s unsung heroes—the ones who work in, survive in, and even thrive in the “messy middle.”
All content for The Messy Middle Matters is the property of Indra Klavins | People, Process, Things and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The Messy Middle Matters podcast shines a much-needed spotlight on the workplace’s unsung heroes—the ones who work in, survive in, and even thrive in the “messy middle.”
Ep 30: Being Smart vs. Being Prepared (w/ Victor Malena - Ops on Tap)
The Messy Middle Matters
33 minutes
2 months ago
Ep 30: Being Smart vs. Being Prepared (w/ Victor Malena - Ops on Tap)
In this episode of The Messy Middle Matters, Indra is joined by Victor Malena, founder of Ops on Tap, to explore the subtle but powerful difference between being smart and being prepared.
Victor shares a career-shaping story from an early mentor who taught him that success often comes less from being the "smartest person in the room" and more from being the one most ready to engage, ask questions, and adapt. Together, Indra and Victor unpack what preparedness looks like in practice—curiosity, clarity, and creating space for others to contribute—while reflecting on how identity, leadership, and even AI play into the dynamics of modern work.
Whether you identify as an operator, a leader, or someone navigating the messy middle of your own career, this conversation offers fresh insight into why preparation isn’t just a safety net—it’s a strategy for thriving.
Useful Links:
The Messy Middle Matters Merch: shop.themessymiddlematters.com
The Messy Middle Matters Glossary: messymiddlematters.com/glossary
Feedback for The Messy Middle Matters: messymiddlematters.com/feedback
Victor Malena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-malena/
The Messy Middle Matters
The Messy Middle Matters podcast shines a much-needed spotlight on the workplace’s unsung heroes—the ones who work in, survive in, and even thrive in the “messy middle.”
