The Psychology of Scaling Companies and Teams with Professor Robin Dunbar: Part 1

Have you ever wondered why your company's culture shifts dramatically as it grows? In part one of a special three-part series, host Susannah de Jager sits down with Professor Robin Dunbar, creator of the renowned "Dunbar's Number," to explore the evolutionary and anthropological realities that impact organisations as they scale. They delve into how social constraints on our brains affect group sizes and dynamics, offering a new perspective on why committees and teams function differently at various scales.Drawing on insights from fields as diverse as human evolution and business, Professor Dunbar provides a toolkit for founders and investors to identify critical tipping points in a company’s development. They discuss optimal group sizes for different tasks, from small, fast-acting committees to larger, more diverse brainstorming sessions. (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+ (01:46) - Dunbar's Number and Group Dynamics (03:25) - Optimal Group Sizes for Decision Making (07:22) - Transition Points in Group Sizes (09:58) - Challenges of Scaling Companies (12:11) - Managing Large Groups and Hierarchies (17:23) - Creating a Sense of Belonging Professor Robin Dunbar: A renowned professor who invented Dunbar's number, the concept that humans can only meaningfully connect with approximately 150 people. As a professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of Oxford, his research explores the behavioural, cognitive, and neuroendocrinological factors that influence social bonding. His work in evolutionary psychology and anthropology provides unique insights into how human dynamics influence group sizes and social structures in both historic and modern contexts, including business.Connect with Robin on LinkedInSusannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn / Subscribe to the Oxford+ Newsletter for exclusive contentOxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya and Oxford North.Produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.