people eating pizza

The two pizza rule

Published on Apr 18, 2023 by Lubo Tomko

As a facilitator and big fan of organizational psychology, I have seen firsthand the power of effective teamwork in achieving organizational goals. Building a great team is not just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have for any organization that wants to succeed in today's fast-paced business world.

The world we live in can be complicated and overwhelming at times. That's why I'm a big fan of simple yet effective strategies that actually work.

One of them is the "two pizza rule" – a concept introduced by Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. It's a simple but effective approach to team building that emphasizes the importance of smaller, more focused teams.

team playing together

Here are some easy steps you can follow to implement the two pizza rule in your own organization:

  • Define your team's purpose and goals: First, decide what your team is responsible for, what it's trying to achieve, and how you'll know when you've succeeded.
  • Limit team sizes: Keep your team small so that everyone can communicate easily and work efficiently. Jeff Bezos suggested no more people than can be fed by two pizzas.
  • Encourage autonomy and accountability: When everyone has a specific role, they're more likely to take ownership of their responsibilities and contribute to the team's success.
  • Foster collaboration and communication: While smaller teams can be more focused, it's still important to work together and communicate openly. This will help everyone understand what's going on and contribute their ideas.
  • Celebrate successes and recognize individual contributions: Finally, celebrate when the team achieves a goal, and make sure to recognize individuals' contributions. This will encourage a culture of teamwork and positive energy.

    team having fun
  • In conclusion, the two pizza rule is a simple but powerful concept that can help you build more effective and sustainable teams. By keeping team sizes small, encouraging autonomy and accountability, fostering collaboration and communication, and celebrating successes, you can build a team that is capable of achieving great things.

    So why not try experimenting with the two pizza rule in your own organization today? With a little effort and teamwork, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

    Lubo Tomko

    CEO at Catalyst Austria

    "I'm someone who helps people work better together and have fun doing it."

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