Key Takeaways
- Bigger teams don’t guarantee better results: Larger teams often lead to slower decisions, communication bottlenecks, and misaligned priorities.
- Small teams can ship faster: SimpleDirect’s shift to a 5-person team increased feature shipment speed by 3x and reduced decision-making time from 2 weeks to 2 days.
- No silos, no confusion: A smaller team means everyone is on the same page, reducing information gaps and miscommunication.
- Higher individual impact: Each team member has a more significant role, fostering ownership and accountability.
- Culture matters: Small teams preserve a family-like atmosphere and avoid the corporate bureaucracy that larger teams often face.
- Challenge the status quo: The idea that growth means hiring more people isn’t always true—efficiency and alignment often matter more than headcount.
George's Story: When Bigger Wasn't Better
Meet George, the founder of SimpleDirect. In 2023, George decided to scale his company, expanding his team from 6 employees to 14. It seemed like the right move—after all, growth is often measured by headcount, right?
But things didn’t go as planned. George found himself buried in meetings, managing one-on-ones, performance reviews, and HR processes. Instead of strategizing or driving product innovation, his time was consumed by managing the complexity of a larger team.
What started as a dream team turned into a source of frustration:
- Projects took weeks to get approved.
- Communication became fragmented.
- Team members were unclear on their priorities.
George realized something critical: his team had grown in size but not in productivity.
The Chaos of Larger Teams
Larger teams often seem like the logical next step for scaling startups. But as George learned, bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Here’s what happens when teams grow too large:
| Problem | Impact |
|---|---|
| Slower decision-making | Aligning multiple stakeholders led to delays in critical decision-making. |
| Communication breakdowns | Miscommunication between departments caused confusion and wasted effort. |
| Misaligned priorities | Teams worked on conflicting goals, creating inefficiencies. |
| Management overload | George spent 40% of his time on administrative tasks instead of strategy. |
A 2022 study by McKinsey found that companies with teams of fewer than 10 people were 25% more likely to meet deadlines compared to teams of 15 or more. George’s experience reflected these findings: his larger team was slower, less aligned, and harder to manage.
The Transition: Downsizing to a 5-Person Team
In 2024, George made a bold decision: SimpleDirect would operate with just five core team members. He didn’t just want fewer people—he wanted the right people doing the right things.
Here’s how George restructured the team:
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| George | Product vision, strategy, and leadership. |
| 2 Developers | Building, maintaining, and improving the platform. |
| 1 Designer | Crafting user experiences and visual designs. |
| 1 Marketer | Running campaigns, managing customer outreach, and growing the user base. |
By downsizing, SimpleDirect eliminated unnecessary complexity. Every team member had a clear role and full ownership of their responsibilities. This shift wasn’t just about reducing headcount—it was about creating focus and alignment.
Productivity Metrics: Small Team, Big Results
The results of this downsizing decision were immediate and measurable. Here’s how SimpleDirect’s 5-person team outperformed its previous 14-person team:
| Metric | Before (14 People) | After (5 People) | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature Development Time | 6 weeks per feature | 2 weeks per feature | 3x faster |
| Decision-Making Time | 2 weeks | 2 days | 85% reduction |
| Individual Contribution Impact | Fragmented across teams | Clear ownership of multiple areas | Higher accountability |
Key Statistic:
According to a 2024 study by Gallup, smaller teams are 34% more likely to report high engagement and productivity compared to larger teams. George’s team reflected this trend perfectly: they were shipping features faster, making decisions quicker, and accomplishing more with fewer people.
Communication Benefits: No More Silos
One of the biggest pain points for larger teams is communication. As teams grow, silos form, and information gets lost. With a 5-person team, SimpleDirect avoided these pitfalls entirely.
Communication Complexity by Team Size
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The chart above illustrates how communication complexity increases exponentially with team size. By staying small, SimpleDirect avoided the inefficiencies that come with managing dozens of communication channels.
Here’s how communication improved:
- Complete transparency: Everyone knows what everyone else is working on.
- Fewer miscommunications: With fewer people involved, messages are clear and direct.
- Shorter feedback loops: Feedback happens in real time, allowing for faster iterations.
Cultural Impact: The Power of Small
Culture often suffers as teams grow. Larger groups require more structure, which can lead to a corporate feel that stifles creativity and individuality.
By staying small, SimpleDirect preserved its unique culture:
- Stronger relationships: With only five people, everyone built personal connections, boosting trust and collaboration.
- Higher individual impact: Each person directly saw the results of their work, fostering pride and accountability.
- Flat hierarchy: There was no need for managers or red tape—just a shared commitment to the company’s goals.
Statistic:
A 2025 report by Glassdoor revealed that employees in teams of fewer than 10 people were 40% more likely to describe their company culture as “supportive” and “collaborative.”
Challenging the “Bigger Is Better” Myth
In the startup world, growth is often equated with hiring more people. But as George discovered, this mindset is flawed.
Here’s why:
- More people = more complexity: Every new hire adds layers of communication and coordination.
- Bigger isn’t always faster: Small, agile teams can pivot and execute more quickly.
- Efficiency beats headcount: The goal isn’t to have the largest team—it’s to have the most effective one.
Contrarian Take:
The tech industry loves to celebrate companies with massive teams, but SimpleDirect’s experience proves that small, focused teams often achieve more.
Conclusion: The Case for Staying Small
Bigger doesn’t always mean better. SimpleDirect’s 5-person team is proof that small teams, when aligned and focused, can outperform much larger teams.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of a growing team, ask yourself: What could you achieve by doing more with less?
With SimpleDirect’s WorkOS, small teams can amplify their productivity. From AI-powered automation to streamlined communication, we’ve built tools to help you unlock your team’s full potential—without the complexity of a large organization.
Ready to simplify your work and supercharge your team? Get started with SimpleDirect.
