Where does the myth that bigger teams are always better come from?

Where does the myth that bigger teams are always better come from?

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There’s a widespread belief that scaling headcount equates to business growth, but hiring too fast or unnecessarily can hurt agility, culture, and cost-efficiency.

Myth Origins:

  • Corporate environments glorify “big teams” as a symbol of success.

  • Startups often overhire after funding to look “established.”

Problems with This Mindset:

  • Operational Bloat: Too many layers can slow decision-making.

  • Cultural Drift: Difficult to maintain values and vision across large, misaligned teams.

  • Higher Burn Rate: Labor is often the biggest cost.

What Actually Works:

  • Lean Teams: Smaller, skilled, and accountable teams deliver faster results.

  • Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Avoids redundancy and conflict.

Growth isn’t about size—it’s about capacity, capability, and cohesion.