Why do teams become less effective the bigger they get?

Have you ever moved a pool table from one room to another? I’ve done it a few times, and let me tell you it’s no joke. A proper slate pool table can easily weigh 400 kg.

It’s no surprise you need a group of people if you’re going to move a beast that weighs almost half a ton. Usually you need about six. One on each corner and two in the middle.

And of course, without fail, there is always that one guy. He’s got his hands on the table, but he’s not actually carrying any of the load.

It would be back breaking and near impossible to carry a full sized pool table with just four people. But one thing is for sure, everyone would have to give 100% to get it done. There would be nowhere to hide. One for all and all for one.

At work, teams and companies also face 400 kg projects. This means leaders have to deal with and overcome the Ringelmann Effect. It simply states that any group becomes lazier as its size increases. It’s all based on the assumption that “someone else is probably taking care of that.”

I’ve found a few things helpful to combat the Ringelmann Effect. Make sure:

1. Teams aren’t too big.
2. Team leads are actual leaders not just experts.
3. Teams aren’t working on too many things at once.
4. Projects have clearly defined boundaries.