Dictionary

too many chiefs and not enough Indians en · X

Meanings

1. Too many leaders or managers and not enough people doing actual, useful work.
   • [V]eterans attribute a lack of money and the consequent need to rely heavily on volunteers in scheduling and the poor advance work for the candidate's appearances. Some Democratic politicians have described the problem as a case of “too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” 1970 October 24, Frank Lynn, “Goldberg ‘Kennedy Men’ Give State Party Rare Unity”, in New York Times, retrieved 15 Jul 2017:
   • Marks & Spencer's . . . top-heavy management has so much in common with the BBC, too many chiefs and not enough indians. 2004 April 14, Janet Street-Porter, “Dazed and confused by modern life”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 15 Jul 2017:

Forms

Relateds

too many cooks spoil the broth

Translations (4)

fr trop de chefs, pas assez d'indiens (too many leaders or managers and not enough people doing useful work) · pt muito cacique para pouco índio (too many leaders or managers and not enough people doing useful work) · sv många hövdingar, men få indianer (too many leaders or managers and not enough people doing useful work) · pl sami szefowie i nikogo do pracy (too many leaders or managers and not enough people doing useful work)