Malcolm Gladwell’s concept of the “magic third” emphasizes that for minority groups within a team to contribute effectively and be themselves, they must constitute more than a third of the group. This idea is based on research by Harvard Business School professor Rosabeth Kanter, who found that when the number of minority members is below this threshold, they are often under pressure and not seen for who they really are. Having sufficient numbers of diverse members ensures they are heard, comfortable, and able to bring their unique perspectives, which is crucial for intellectual diversity and the success of the team.