How does the myth “bigger teams mean better results” lead to inefficiency?

How does the myth “bigger teams mean better results” lead to inefficiency?

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Many leaders believe larger teams automatically deliver better outcomes. However, in practice, team size and productivity don’t correlate linearly.

Why this myth fails:

  • Communication Overhead: Bigger teams require more coordination, which can slow progress.

  • Responsibility Diffusion: Individuals may assume others will take ownership, leading to missed tasks.

  • Decision Bottlenecks: Consensus is harder to achieve, stalling action.

  • Increased Conflict: Larger groups often experience more interpersonal challenges.

  • Management Complexity: More people mean more supervision, reducing speed and clarity.

The most effective teams are often small, cross-functional, and focused, rather than large and layered.