Recently I’ve spoken to quite a few change consultants, very few of whom had heard of Robin Dunbar. You know, Robin Dunbar, the internationally famous British scientist. Known for the Dunbar number. Emeritus professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford. No?
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you!
The reason he’s important to anyone in people management is that his studies reveal a great deal about how human societies work. The headlines are that people have evolved to be social and there are unseen, evolved structures and systems within this sociability, which he has mapped, which can be exploited to optimise management efforts.
For example, as soon as a group of people exceeds 5 it will usually split in two. And gossip is a system, that developed from primate grooming, to keep a group of people cohesive.
If you work with the warp and weft of these structures you will have a happier workforce, (mood-altering substances are involved), who feel a sense of belonging in your organisation and are thus more productive.
Most management focusses on the individual, but the science says it is often more productive to focus more on the group. At a time when DEI is under attack, Dunbar’s work suggests that focussing on the integration of groups and making the workplace enjoyable is a worthwhile investment.
I’ve integrated Dunbar’s research into my approach by designing training that presents people with problems that they solve together. This not only makes the learning more engaging, it means that the lessons spread through the group and become embedded as culture.
We really should all be celebrating Professor Dunbar because he’s a great British scientist who is internationally influential, but not as well-known as he should be. I met him once, (on a video call). I simply sent him and email and asked if I could pick his brains. “I’m not worthy!” I felt, as we had a very nice chat. So, I can say from first hand that he’s also a very nice guy.
Dunbar has written many popular books which explain his discoveries and recently collaborated with two other authors to create a book that puts his discoveries into the context of the business world. I reviewed this and wrote an analytical article summarising its points. Check them out. Everyone in management could do with knowing more about the work of Robin Dunbar.
