Nyt:

A recent New York Times article has a description of a study which indicates that strength can increase regardless of muscle size. I assume this can be due to better neuromuscular adaptation? I’d like to hear other’s thoughts:

These results suggest that “there is a separation between muscular strength and hypertrophy,” or enlargement of the muscle, says Brad Schoenfeld, the director of the human performance program at Lehman College and the study’s lead author.

Your muscles can become as strong as those of someone who is burlier.

Correct, the relationship is not perfectly linear. Methods matter: the relationship between strength and hypertrophy depends on methods of measurement and analysis - PMC

With that said, it’s probably not possible to maximize your strength performance without substantial hypertrophy.