According to the authors, what is the ideal number of people for a leader to lead?

• A. 2 to 3
• B. 4 to 6
• C. 7 to 9
• D. 10 to 15

Answer: (B)

A leader operates most effectively with a small, tightly scoped group of direct reports. This setup keeps the leader within close reach of each team member, allowing quick coaching, clear ownership of tasks, and fast decision-making. When the team grows too large, communication becomes slower, accountability can blur, and the leader can’t give everyone the guidance and feedback they need. Conversely, having too few direct reports underutilizes the leader’s capacity and can create bottlenecks. The authors emphasize that, while exact contexts vary, this range is the sweet spot for strong leadership because it balances hands-on supervision with enough manpower to get work done efficiently.