Shrink your span to grow your impact through decentralized command

In complex environments, one person can’t lead dozens well once things go sideways. Military history and organizational science converge on a similar finding: humans can only manage about five to seven meaningful relationships or tasks at once, and that shrinks under stress. That’s why effective teams break into small units with clear leaders and a shared intent.

Consider a busy event venue. One manager tried to direct every usher, vendor, and security guard over the radio. When a power outage hit, instructions jammed the channel, and key tasks stalled. After a post‑event review, they restructured into six‑person squads with leads. The manager briefed purpose, top tasks, and end state before doors opened, then moved to where the big picture needed attention. During a later fire alarm, the squads acted within their limits—one evacuated a section, another rerouted vendors—while the manager coordinated with the fire department.

The mechanisms are straightforward. Commander’s intent gives meaning and direction when the plan changes. Small teams with a trusted lead fit human cognitive limits, reducing coordination costs. Clear decision boundaries remove bottlenecks, and two‑way information flow keeps the system aligned as reality shifts. Over time, after‑action reviews let leaders increase autonomy where judgment proves sound, building a bench of capable decision‑makers.

Start every effort with a brief statement of purpose, key tasks, and end state so people know the why. Break the group into 4–6 person teams with a clear lead and set what they can decide alone versus when to call you. Share updates both ways in short, plain bursts. After the work, debrief what was decided at each level and expand autonomy where judgment was strong. You’ll feel the load on your radio, inbox, and brain lighten. Pilot this structure on your next multi‑team task.