If you show me the shape of your company’s org chart, I can tell you if you’ll have management problems. You can screw up your technology organization with too few managers. And you can also screw up your organization with too many. If a manager has more than around 8 direct reports, they’ll be spread too thin and manage poorly. There’s no way around it: there just isn’t enough time in the day to maintain the context, expertise, and energy to be an effective coach much beyond 8 reports. Even if someone is cruising with 10 directs, add an HR complaint or personal emergency and the house of cards will collapse.
The Goldilocks Management Structure
The Goldilocks Management Structure
The Goldilocks Management Structure
If you show me the shape of your company’s org chart, I can tell you if you’ll have management problems. You can screw up your technology organization with too few managers. And you can also screw up your organization with too many. If a manager has more than around 8 direct reports, they’ll be spread too thin and manage poorly. There’s no way around it: there just isn’t enough time in the day to maintain the context, expertise, and energy to be an effective coach much beyond 8 reports. Even if someone is cruising with 10 directs, add an HR complaint or personal emergency and the house of cards will collapse.