There is also an excessive number of middle management, even if all of the were competent.
Technology has made it possible to be a more effective manager and leader.
Technology has made it possible to be a more effective manager and leader.
How so?
I've built a few different organizations now and each time I've found that I need to introduce a middle management layer somewhere around 18 and 24 engineers.
The limit is always things that are really hard to automate or replace with technology like 1 on 1s, keeping a pulse on how the team is feeling, coaching people on career growth, etc.
Phones, cellphones, email, etc have all made management communication more effective. Address book in your iPhone is faster than your secretary, a Rolodex and the switchboard.
Automate the easy stuff, and have the management do the human leadership tasks.
I’d ask the engineers what else can be done differently but maybe you have implemented lean leadership already.
To be more precise, it's doable but demand years of experience, our society except for very few jobs lack such experience and as always anyone want young people with decade of experience behind...
Either way, my experience has been 5-10 directs as the sweet spot. 12-15 is fine but really pushing things. Beyond that, you need more structure.
That's just one example.