The Science of Teaming
summary
Research shows team-size limits: Dunbar ranges (1.5 intimates, 5 close, 15 best, 50 good, 150 meaningful friends, 500 acquaintances, 1,500 known names) and recommends small teams (around six or seven for day-to-day work). Experiments and cases show adding people and hours reduces trust and productivity and becomes hard to undo; splitting groups at 150 (Gore example) restores efficiency. Minimal‑group studies show tiny differences create us‑versus‑them dynamics, and Harvard work finds simple rituals boost cohesion and measurable wellbeing.
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chapters (12)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:50Teaming history and Dunbar
- 10:41Dunbar's number explained
- 18:19Optimal team sizes
- 23:11Myth of more people
- 28:14Ignoring team size limits
- 33:34Gore-Tex science and purpose
- 36:06Dangers of us versus them
- 42:29Team t-shirts effects
- 44:38Rituals and team performance
- 51:29Science of team rituals
- 52:32Q&A
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