Why 12 Direct Reports Is Burning Out Managers -(and how to fix it)

Imagine this: You've scaled your team successfully, but lately it feels like the momentum is slipping into chaos and overload. Gallup's latest data confirms what many leaders are sensing—the average number of direct reports per manager has climbed to 12.1 in 2025, up from 10.9 the year before, marking a nearly 50% increase since they first tracked it.

What if the real issue isn't just the bigger numbers... but how those numbers are quietly bottlenecking your managers and draining real engagement across the organization?

Picture this: What becomes possible when you stop trying to "manage" the growth and instead unleash your managers to lead at their highest level—freeing them from the weight, equipping them to coach powerfully, and sparking genuine, active engagement that actually moves the needle?

In this episode of the Triple Margin Freedom Podcast, I dive straight into the hidden traps of expanding teams, what leaders should truly be concerned about right now, and the practical shifts that liberate your managers to perform at their absolute best—driving performance, ownership, and results you can feel.

Hit play now and discover how to turn team growth from a burden into your greatest advantage. Your organization's energy—and your own freedom—might just depend on it. Listen today.