>The rule I use is "The rule of 11" -- you really can't have more than 11 direct reports. That really depends on the industry and the situation. It's probably

>The rule I use is "The rule of 11" -- you really can't have more than 11 direct reports. That really depends on the industry and the situation. It's probably true for tech work, but I managed more than double that in a blue-collar type job and didn't have much trouble. I also had a job managing six computer operators and the combination of my inexperience and the personalities in the group caused the whole thing to blow up.