Too many chiefs and not enough Indians
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Hierarchy Issue
The phrase often points to a problem with organization structure, indicating too many leaders. 
With too many chiefs and not enough Indians, our team's direction was unclear.
Pro Tip 2/3Collaboration Breakdown
It suggests a teamwork imbalance, where too many people try to lead rather than cooperate. 
The event was a failure—too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
This is a casual idiom and may not be appropriate for formal or sensitive cultural situations. 
In our informal meeting, we joked there were too many chiefs and not enough Indians.