Flock Logic: Why Small, Connected Teams Thrive
Aug 25, 2025
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, one concept stood out for its simplicity and power: flock logic. Drawing inspiration from the way starlings move in murmuration, flock logic explains why small, tightly connected groups are more effective than large, unwieldy teams.
Research into starling behavior shows that each bird pays attention to about seven of its nearest neighbors. This balance allows them to respond quickly to changes, avoid collisions, and move as one. Increase the number too much, and coordination becomes difficult. Reduce it too far, and the group loses cohesion.
In human organizations, this principle means that teams work best when they are small enough for everyone to stay connected but large enough to bring diverse perspectives. The “magic number” for team size often falls around seven—echoing the research on starlings and supported by cognitive science, which suggests our working memory handles about seven items at a time.
Flock logic begins with the individual (“me”) being self-aware, adaptable, and willing to both lead and follow. Those individuals then come together as a connected “we,” building mutual trust and adopting shared habits like Step Up, Step Back, and Step Together. Multiple “we” groups form the larger “us,” capable of moving in coordinated, purposeful ways.
This model challenges the traditional hierarchy. Instead of one leader at the top making all the decisions, leadership flows dynamically within the group. Like climbers on a rope team, members take turns leading and supporting, ensuring that the group can adapt to challenges without losing momentum.
To apply flock logic in your own context:
- Keep core teams small—ideally around seven people.
- Foster strong connections and mutual trust within each team.
- Encourage shared leadership and fluid roles based on the situation.
- Link small teams into a larger network that shares goals and values.
By structuring work this way, you create an organization that’s more agile, more resilient, and more capable of thriving in complexity—just like a murmuration of starlings.
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