Revolutionizing Schools One Slice at a Time: The Two-Pizza Rule

ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how Jeff Bezos' "Two-Pizza Rule," a principle that transformed Amazon's approach to teamwork, can be applied to educational leadership. By keeping teams small, focused, and empowered, school leaders can foster innovation, boost morale, and streamline decision-making. Discover how this simple yet powerful concept can reshape how schools operate, from creating agile problem-solving groups to empowering teachers as entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn how two pizzas might just hold the secret to revolutionizing your school leadership approach.

For additional thoughts from Director Alderdice, visit coreyalderdice.com.

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Learn more about ASMSA at asmsa.org/thrive.

Transcript

Have you ever been in a meeting where you felt like half the people didn’t need to be there? Maybe you’ve had moments where decision-making felt slower than molasses because of endless back-and-forths. Well, here’s a concept to chew on—Jeff Bezos’ “Two-Pizza Rule.” Yes, it’s about pizza, but it’s also about revolutionizing how teams function, and it holds some powerful lessons for schools and educational leadership.

The rule is simple: if two pizzas can’t feed the team, the team is too big. Bezos used this principle to build Amazon into one of the most innovative and efficient companies in the world. But it’s not just a business strategy—it’s a philosophy about how to structure teams for maximum impact.

So, how does this translate to education? Well, let’s take a closer look.

In schools, we often work in large committees or task forces. Think about the last time you were part of a group of 20 people trying to solve a problem. The reality? A few people probably did most of the talking, while others quietly sat back. It’s not that those quieter members didn’t have valuable input—they probably just didn’t feel there was space for their voice.

The Two-Pizza Rule flips this dynamic. By intentionally keeping teams small—say five to seven people—you create a structure where everyone has to pull their weight, and every voice can be heard. Small teams move faster, make decisions more effectively, and avoid the dreaded trap of groupthink. For a school leader, this means that instead of having a sprawling committee to tackle every issue, you form tight-knit groups with clear objectives and the autonomy to execute.

Let’s face it: schools are not generally known for their lightning-fast decision-making. Approval chains, committee reviews, and endless meetings can drag a good idea into oblivion. The Two-Pizza Rule is all about cutting through that red tape. When you empower small teams to make decisions without waiting on higher-ups, you unlock a new level of agility.

For example, imagine you’re rolling out a new program to improve reading scores. Instead of creating a 20-person task force, you form a small team of reading specialists, classroom teachers, and maybe a tech integrator. You give them the freedom to design, test, and tweak their approach. Suddenly, you’ve taken what could have been a year-long initiative and turned it into something that starts making an impact within months.

One of the most exciting parts of Bezos’ rule is the idea of autonomy. At Amazon, small teams aren’t just encouraged to innovate—they’re expected to. They’re treated like mini-startups within the company, each responsible for their own projects from start to finish. Imagine applying this to schools. Instead of micromanaging teachers or drowning them in top-down directives, you trust small teams to solve problems creatively.

Picture this: a team of five teachers comes to you with an idea to revamp how your school handles parent communication. Instead of running the idea through five levels of approval, you let them own the project. You give them a budget, a timeline, and the freedom to experiment. By treating them like entrepreneurs, you foster a sense of ownership and excitement that can ripple through the entire school culture.

Here’s another hidden gem in the Two-Pizza Rule: small teams often mean happier people. When teams are manageable in size, relationships are stronger, communication is clearer, and collaboration feels more authentic. For teachers and staff, this translates into a greater sense of connection and purpose.

In a profession where burnout is a constant threat, this kind of morale boost is no small thing. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re not just more productive—they’re also more likely to stay in the profession long-term. For school leaders, this approach could be a game-changer in both recruitment and retention.

Ultimately, the Two-Pizza Rule challenges us to rethink the way we structure leadership in schools. It asks us to move away from bloated committees and toward lean, focused teams that are empowered to act. It’s a call to trust our people, to strip away unnecessary bureaucracy, and to create a culture where innovation can thrive.

And maybe that’s the most important takeaway: the Two-Pizza Rule isn’t just about pizzas or productivity. It’s about creating the kind of environment where people—whether they’re engineers at Amazon or educators in a school—can do their best work.

So here’s my challenge to you: think about your own leadership structures.  And while you’re at it…maybe order some pizza for your next meeting. Just two, though—no more!  

But seriously, ask yourself this question: are your teams small enough to achieve the work they need to do? If not, maybe it’s time to take a slice out of Bezos’ playbook. Because sometimes, less really is more.