---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The middle of every successful project…"
description: "\"The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.\" — Rosabeth Moss Kanter"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png"
---

#  The middle of every successful project looks like a…

![“The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png)

> “The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.”

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Projects appear chaotic at the midpoint, but that turbulence is part of progress.

**In simple terms:** Mid‑project chaos signals growth.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the mess; keep moving.

Themes

change project management uncertainty growth

Mood

motivational analytical

Type

business leadership

When to use this quote

- product development
- startup scaling
- organizational change

Key Concepts

systems thinking leadership risk management

Questions to Reflect On

- What strategies help you navigate project turbulence?
- How do you turn chaos into opportunity?

A Different Perspective

Chaos can mask underlying issues if not addressed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Achieving success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieving-success/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Disaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disaster/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Giving up is not an option](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up-is-not-an-option/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Uplifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uplifting/)

## Related quotes

> [“A project never looks worse than right before it’s done.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hill/a-project-never-looks-worse-than-right-before-it-s-done/)

[Shannon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hill/)

> [The idea of a musical comedy was something we had had in mind for many years, but the project 'Igudesman & Joo: A Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksey-igudesman/the-idea-of-a-musical-comedy-was-something-we-had-had-in-mind-for/)

[Aleksey Igudesman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksey-igudesman/)

> [I like to get into a lot of things besides movies. I've been very involved with a few specific efforts. We built this park…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-like-to-get-into-a-lot-of-things-besides-movies-i-ve-been-very/)

[Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/)

> [ When 'Humsafar' did well, every single person associated with it shined. Its DoP \[Director of Photography\], Shehzad Kashmiri, went on to become a huge… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahira-khan/when-humsafar-did-well-every-single-person-associated-with-it-shined/)

[Mahira Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahira-khan/)

> [We need the books that affect us like a disaster, that grieve us deeply, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/we-need-the-books-that-affect-us-like-a-disaster-that-grieve-us/)

[Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/)

> [I really like 'Disaster Artist.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobcat-goldthwait/i-really-like-disaster-artist/)

[Bobcat Goldthwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobcat-goldthwait/)

> [“I’m sure I look like a disaster, red-faced and wild-eyed and close to hysterical—I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/i-m-sure-i-look-like-a-disaster-red-faced-and-wild-eyed-and-close-to/)

[Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/)

> [“I have no sense of what War is like; It may be like disaster Hollywood movies. But i wish india and Pakistan fight a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-bashir-magry/i-have-no-sense-of-what-war-is-like-it-may-be-like-disaster-hollywood/)

Bilal Bashir Magry

> [“You make me come alive- too alive. It's breathless, like a disaster. Ravishing, like crossing over into the desert and losing your bearings. Nothing's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-way/you-make-me-come-alive-too-alive-it-s-breathless-like-a-disaster/)

[Margaret Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-way/)

> [“I’m sure I look like a disaster,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/i-m-sure-i-look-like-a-disaster/)

[Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/)

> [We need the books that affect us like a disaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/we-need-the-books-that-affect-us-like-a-disaster/)

[Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/)

> [Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/success-is-not-measured-by-what-a-man-accomplishes-but-by-the/)

[Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/)

> [Do what you can, with what you have and do it now!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington-carver/do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-and-do-it-now/)

[George Washington Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington-carver/)

> [What constitutes success? She who has achieved success has lived well; laughed often and loved much; has gained the respect of little children; has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bessie-anderson-stanley/what-constitutes-success-she-who-has-achieved-success-has-lived-well/)

Bessie Anderson Stanley

> [My decision was that after nearly three years at Celtic - with everything we'd achieved and the success we'd had on the pitch, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/my-decision-was-that-after-nearly-three-years-at-celtic-with/)

[Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/)

## More by Rosabeth Moss Kanter

> [Not everyone in an organization is in a position to accumulate power through competent performance because most people are just carrying out the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/not-everyone-in-an-organization-is-in-a-position-to-accumulate-power/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [I wonder whether there has been too much emphasis on teaching women to conform, to fit into the system. Certainly that suits conservative organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-wonder-whether-there-has-been-too-much-emphasis-on-teaching-women/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [After years of telling corporate citizens to 'trust the system,' many companies must relearn instead to trust their people - and encourage their people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/after-years-of-telling-corporate-citizens-to-trust-the-system-many/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the-world-through-a-kaleidoscope/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [The difference between "winners" and "losers" is not whether they face obstacles and setbacks - we all do, and it is inevitable that plans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-difference-between-winners-and-losers-is-not-whether-they-face/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/friendly-people-are-caring-people-eager-to-provide-encouragement-and/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Power is the ability to get things done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-is-the-ability-to-get-things-done/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [I've been looking at companies that are on a positive path vs. a negative path and I've come to use the language of sports,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-ve-been-looking-at-companies-that-are-on-a-positive-path-vs-a/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Power stems from 'rainmaking,' as law firms put it: the ability to bring resources into the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-stems-from-rainmaking-as-law-firms-put-it-the-ability-to-bring/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Leaders must pick causes they won't abandon easily, remain committed despite setbacks, and communicate their big ideas over and over again in every encounter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/leaders-must-pick-causes-they-won-t-abandon-easily-remain-committed/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Companies used to be able to function with autocratic bosses. We don't live in that world anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/companies-used-to-be-able-to-function-with-autocratic-bosses-we-don-t/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Everything looks like a failure in the middle. In neary every change project, doubt is cast on the original vision because problems are mounting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/everything-looks-like-a-failure-in-the-middle-in-neary-every-change/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Confidence is not lodged in people's brains, it comes from the support system that surrounds them. Let's not confuse confidence overall with just self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/confidence-is-not-lodged-in-people-s-brains-it-comes-from-the-support/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [During the Boom Years, it was so easy to lose sight of basic values. For example, there was lots of nonsense said and written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/during-the-boom-years-it-was-so-easy-to-lose-sight-of-basic-values/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Winning becomes easier over time as the cornerstones of confidence become habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/winning-becomes-easier-over-time-as-the-cornerstones-of-confidence/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

[Explore all 111 Rosabeth Moss Kanter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

## More Achieved success quotes

> [My decision was that after nearly three years at Celtic - with everything we'd achieved and the success we'd had on the pitch, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/my-decision-was-that-after-nearly-three-years-at-celtic-with/)

[Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/)

> [What constitutes success? She who has achieved success has lived well; laughed often and loved much; has gained the respect of little children; has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bessie-anderson-stanley/what-constitutes-success-she-who-has-achieved-success-has-lived-well/)

Bessie Anderson Stanley

> [Do what you can, with what you have and do it now!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington-carver/do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-and-do-it-now/)

[George Washington Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington-carver/)

> [Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the opposition he has encountered and the courage with which he has maintained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/success-is-not-measured-by-what-a-man-accomplishes-but-by-the/)

[Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/)

> [If you think you can't, you're right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-bartz/if-you-think-you-can-t-you-re-right/)

[Carol Bartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-bartz/)

> [If you aren't making any mistakes, it's a sure sign you're playing it too safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-aren-t-making-any-mistakes-it-s-a-sure-sign-you-re-playing-it/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/one-of-the-most-tragic-things-i-know-about-human-nature-is-that-all-2/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Do your best with what you have where you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-punch/do-your-best-with-what-you-have-where-you-are/)

[Lucy Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-punch/)

> [Sometimes our best is simply not enough… We have to do what is required.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/sometimes-our-best-is-simply-not-enough-we-have-to-do-what-is-required/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [One must search diligently to find laudatory comments on education (other than those pious platitudes which are fodder for commencement speeches). It appears that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/one-must-search-diligently-to-find-laudatory-comments-on-education/)

[Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/)

> [Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-brennan/our-goals-can-only-be-reached-through-a-vehicle-of-a-plan-in-which-we-2/)

Stephen Brennan

> [Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/obstacles-are-what-you-see-when-you-take-your-eyes-off-your-goals/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [The more difficult question for me is, do you remain successful for what you had done? I don't know. I think success is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-waters/the-more-difficult-question-for-me-is-do-you-remain-successful-for/)

[Derek Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-waters/)

> [Try not to become a man of success, but a man of value. Look around at how people want to get more out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/try-not-to-become-a-man-of-success-but-a-man-of-value-look-around-at/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you don't, you have achieved half your failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ambrose/if-you-have-the-will-to-win-you-have-achieved-half-your-success-if/)

David Ambrose

Browse all 42 Achieved success quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rosabeth Moss Kanter"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-middle-of-every-successful-project-looks-like-a-disaster/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Achieved success"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-middle-of-every-successful-project-looks-like-a-disaster/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_achieved-success_the-middle-of-every-successful-project-l_1893809.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The middle of every successful project looks like a disaster.” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Rosabeth Moss Kanter",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The middle of every successful project...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-middle-of-every-successful-project-looks-like-a-disaster/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-middle-of-every-successful-project-looks-like-a-disaster/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```