How Many Direct Reports Is Too Many?

Why your direct reports are underperforming and how to turn it around. What happens when you give one manager 50 direct reports and call it innovation? Chaos.In this episode, I cut through the corporate delusion that flatter structures are better, and I give you the insights to help you confidently build a structure that actually delivers results.I start with the fundamentals: why organisations need teams, why teams need structure, and why leaders are essential to making both work.I focus on the main tool of indiscriminate cost cutting: span of control, and I leave you with four practical factors you can use right now to assess whether your own structure is working for you, or against you.Source Material:No Bullsh!t Leadership episodes:Ep.363: Why Your IT Project Will FailFortune article:Meta’s new AI team has 50 engineers per boss. What could go wrong?Gallup research:Span of Control: What’s the Optimum Team Size for Managers?Wikipedia links:Division of LabourPlatoAdam SmithThe Wealth of NationsLBT link:Leadership Beyond the Theory————————Have you taken our free Leadership Blindspot test?✨ In just 5 minutes you’ll uncover the hidden leadership habits holding you back.Get your Blindspot Score and know exactly what to fix before it costs your career!TAKE THE FREE TEST HERE————————You can connect with me at:Website: https://www.yourceomentor.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourceomentorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourceomentorLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-moore-075b001/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourCEOMentor————————Our mission here at Your CEO Mentor is to improve the quality of leaders, globally. Your boss wants more with less. Your team wants less, full stop. You're stuck in the middle.Leadership Beyond the Theory is 9 weeks to promotion-ready leadership.2,800+ leaders from 150+ organisations. 99% would recommend.Doors are now open for the June 2026 cohort, they close Fri 26 June!Join the cohort here: https://go.leadershipbeyondthetheory.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.