Intelligence Squared
The Magic Number for Creating a Successful Team, with Robin Dunbar
Jun 23, 2024
Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford, delves into his famous theory, Dunbar's Number, explaining that humans thrive in around 150 meaningful relationships. He emphasizes the crucial role of face-to-face interactions for creativity and team cohesion, especially in today’s hybrid work environment. Joined by Sophie McBain, they explore how cultivating social connections can enhance workplace belonging and boost employee well-being, while discussing the challenges organizations face in fostering these essential relationships.
55:26
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Quick takeaways
- Maintaining strong friendships requires regular in-person meetings for deep connections.
- Optimal group sizes in the workplace lead to efficient decision-making and collaboration.
Deep dives
Understanding Dunbar's Number and Social Circles
Dunbar's Number suggests that humans maintain around 150 social relationships due to the size of their brains. This limit applies to both personal social networks and natural group sizes like clans or local communities. The Dunbar graph illustrates layers of relationships where smaller intimate circles involve deeper connections and larger circles represent more casual interactions.
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