day 1083: The Dunbar Model

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am ready to hear Israel’s prayers and to increase their numbers like a flock."

Much of the platform for social media is built off of the research of a psychologist, Robin Dunbar.  What his research shows is that in our social circles we can only handle a maximum of 150 relationships that are deep enough that if we ran into one of these people in a public place (restaurant/bar/coffee shop) that we wouldn't feel embarrassed about joining them (us being uninvited). Malcolm Gladwell has also used Dunbar's work for his source material. It's not only fascinating research it is also extremely helpful as we consider how we build out our corporate organizations, communication patterns, management teams and sales forces.  It is not unusual that we will find that in large corporations that the head of a large department or function doesn't know many of the people and if Dunbar is right, then there are a whole lot of people on that team that if the leader bumped into them at Starbucks, he/she wouldn't just come over and sit down and begin a conversation, in fact, they might not even recognize their team member at all, which causes another set of issues.  Looking into the Dunbar model could shed light on many aspects of our business and organizations and we should read more about his work.  If the largest and most successful social media companies are paying attention, we should also.

The Dunbar Model is one that we, as believers, can also recognize as important.  If we are limited by some human capacity on average to 150 meaningful relationships, then right there is the group for us to recognize as ones who we can and should be sharing and making our faith real. We tend to think that if we aren't reaching outside of our natural borders (like when we feel like we need to do missionary work in Africa, when there is plenty of hopelessness and need in our own communities) that we aren't fulfilling God's great commission.  Could it be though that what really is most important is what starts in the places where we have the greatest influence, credibility and knowledge.  Think today about your Dunbar 150 and consider whether or not you are putting enough weight and commitment to this group as it relates to being the testimony and carrier of God's message.

Reference: Ezekiel 36:37 (New Living Translation)