Admiral Hyman Rickover -- one of the most successful engineering managers in history -- had about 40 direct reports: https://govleaders.org/rickover.htm https:/

Admiral Hyman Rickover -- one of the most successful engineering managers in history -- had about 40 direct reports: https://govleaders.org/rickover.htm https://govleaders.org/rickover.htm > "Some management experts advocate strict limits to the number of people reporting to a common superior—generally five to seven. But if one has capable people who require but a few moments of his time during the day, there is no reason to set such arbitrary constraints. Some forty key people report frequently and directly to me. This enables me to keep up with what is going on and makes it possible for them to get fast action. The latter aspect is particularly important. Capable people will not work for long where they cannot get prompt decisions and actions from their superior."