Comment by daleswanson

> As someone who did have 15 direct reports for a while, it’s a joke.

> You basically are their manager in name only. Your time is so split you can’t give any one direct reports the attention they deserve. Quarterly and annual reviews are a farce because you genuinely don’t really know how people are doing except the signals you can receive when you’re not in a meeting with one of your 15 reports.

Don't forget "No pure managers". So, it's 15+ direct reports while also being "a strong and active individual contributor".