Thrive as a Leader: Managing More Direct Reports Without Burning Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In today's VUCA world, you might notice your company trimming down management layers and handing you more direct reports than ever before. This shift—well underway before 2025—is all about staying agile and saving money, especially when things get uncertain. These days, the average manager like you could be leading ten to fifteen people, not just five like back in 2017.

That’s a big change, and it brings a whole new set of challenges. Your team may feel like they don’t get as much of your time, and you’ll probably find your own workload and complexity ramping up. With fewer managers around, your leadership really matters—so it’s more important than ever to be sharp, flexible, and ready to guide bigger, more varied teams.

This isn’t just about today’s to-dos, either. Leaner management means you need to communicate clearly, delegate smartly, and make confident decisions to keep things running smoothly and spirits high. You’ll want to level up your people skills and time management, while encouraging your team to become more independent, accountable, and resilient.

When your team grows but your support stays the same, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But you can flip the script. Here’s how you and your team can thrive instead of burning out:

·   Reset how you work—together. Don’t try to run a big team the same way you did a small one. Revisit your availability, rethink your part in decisions, and help your crew set new routines. Work together to set fresh expectations and create team rules for how you’ll communicate, collaborate, and handle disagreements.

·   Prioritize visibly. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Zero in on what matters most and keep your team in the loop. A quick, regular update on top priorities helps everyone pull in the same direction and keeps things simple.

·   Delegate with clarity. Scaling up isn’t about piling on more work—it’s about lifting others up. Spot those who can step up, and make it clear what’s theirs to run with, what should come back to you, and where they have the freedom to decide.

·   Design a better communication and coaching cadence. This is essential when managing larger teams in a leaner workplace. By establishing regular check-ins and feedback sessions, you create a rhythm that keeps everyone aligned and supported. Consistent communication not only clarifies goals and expectations but also builds trust and ensures challenges are addressed early, allowing your team to stay focused and motivated.

Similarly, a thoughtful coaching cadence helps team members grow in their roles and encourages ongoing development. When you make coaching a routine part of your leadership, you empower individuals to take ownership of their work and foster a culture of continuous improvement. This structure provides stability in times of change, helping your team adapt and thrive even as demands increase.

·   Simplify the system. Growth often means clutter. Take a fresh look at your team’s tools, meetings, and processes. Cut out anything that bogs you down, and keep things as simple as you can.

·   Protect your energy. Your mood sets the vibe for the team. Make time for a weekly check-in to see how you’re doing and tweak your approach before stress takes over.

Check out these related posts:

The Problem with an Always Urgent Culture (How to Prioritize Your Team's Work)  (5 min read)

5 Ways to lead a Team that’s Understaffed and Overworked (5 min read)

Defining a Coaching Cadence is a Force Multiplier that Will Supercharge Performance  (5 min read)

Delegating to Build the Capacity of Your Team to Achieve Greater Results  (3 min read)

At the end of the day, having fewer—but better—leaders can make organizations way stronger. If you keep learning and invest in your own growth, you’ll help create a culture where everyone can adapt and succeed. It’s all about staying flexible, supporting each other, and chasing excellence—together. You’ve got this!

Stay inspired, lead boldly! 

Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT

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Having worked with several companies throughout their growth cycle, we have valuable insights and strategies that would help any late stage startup, small or medium sized company achieve sustained growth and prosperity.