Tag Archives: the dunbar model

day 2543: Two Or More

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

I get the great opportunity to work with many entrepreneurs as they conceptualize and start their business ventures.  I have come to believe that trying to start a business on one’s own is not a wise thing to do.  A founder needs a co-founder who can be their partner in going through all of the challenges they face.  The degree of difficulty is just too high to be alone.  There are organizational psychology studies to back up that the numbers we have in organizations matter.  Dunbar’s number of 150 people being the number that an organization takes on a higher need for levels of supervision can be experienced almost to the number.  There are also studies that show that different communication tactics are needed when two people go to three, then four and beyond.  Have you ever noticed even in a casual conversation or dinner that four people can go through a whole dinner and the conversation was only with the two pairs, only occasionally that all four interacted together.  So, one is not enough, four might be too many.  So, two or three to start, might be the sweet spots.  It’s worth thinking about next time a team or project is created.

We are taught that where two are more are gathered in the Lord’s name that He will join us there, because He is there with us.  We are even taught that three are even better for us to stand strong together.  We should consider this as we attempt to be strong and courageous with our faith in our workplaces.  Are there others who a bond of faith can be created?  There will be times when that standing back-to-back with another believer will make the difference in being able to move forward.  And there will be other times when being triple-braided may be the only thing that keeps it all together for us.  So, today, can we find that other person or two with whom we can walk towards God together?

Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New Living Translation)