When an organization is small, everyone knows everyone.

People understand the history, the personalities, the unwritten rules, and who to call when something goes wrong.

Then the organization grows.

Suddenly, leaders cannot depend on personal familiarity to hold everything together.

Dunbar’s Number describes the idea that:

There is a limit to how many meaningful relationships we can actively maintain.

The exact limit is debated, but the leadership lesson is practical.

As groups grow, connection must become more intentional. Communication, culture, trust, and belonging can no longer depend entirely on everyone knowing one another personally.

Growth creates reach.

It also creates a lot more names to remember.