The reason your team isn't succeeding at business isn’t that you don't have a good service or product.

It isn't even your lack of marketing. It’s a lack of diversity.

Numerous studies have shown a clear correlation between companies with diverse leadership teams and business success.

Welcome to the realm of dungeons and dragons (social media style). With those immortal words I was as a child transported to one of the best kids TV shows of the 80’s! For those of you not familiar with the show the premise was simple. 

Six friends (Hank, Diana, Eric, Presto, Sheila and Bobby) who jump on an amusement park ride are transported magically to the realm of dungeons and dragons.

They are clothed and given enchanted items by a mysterious benefactor called the Dungeon Master.

Hank - The Ranger.

At 15 years of age, he is the leader of the group. Hank is brave and noble, maintaining a focus and determination even when presented with grave danger. He carries a magical bow and arrow whihc can shoot multiple bolts that can be used to cross gaps or harm enimies.

Eric - The Cavalier.

At age 15, is the spoiled child, originating from a rich home. On the surface, Eric is a big-mouthed coward. Eric complains about the dire situations in which he is involved and voices concerns which would be sensible to inhabitants of our world transplanted to the Realm. Despite his cowardice and reluctance, Eric has a heroic core, and frequently saves his friends from danger with his magical shield which can project a force field. 

Diana - The Acrobat.

Diana is a brave and outspoken 14-year-old girl who carries the Javelin Staff, which can shift in length. She uses her staff as a weapon or as an aid in various acrobatic moves. If the staff is broken apart, Diana can hold the severed pieces together and they will reunite. She is skilled at handling animals and is self-assured and confident. These qualities make her the natural leader in the absence of Hank.

Presto - The Magician 

The 14-year-old wizard of the team. Presto fulfills the role of well-meaning, but hopeless magic user. He suffers from low self confidence and nervousness, which manifests in the use of his Hat of Many Spells. He is able to pull an endless succession of various tools from it, but often these will be, or appear to be, of little use.

Sheila - The Thief 

As the thief Sheila age 13 has the cloak of invisibility. Which, when the hood is raised over her head, makes her invisible. Although Sheila is often shy and nervous with a deep-seated monophobia (fear of being alone) she will always display bravery when her friends are in trouble, especially her younger brother, Bobby. Sheila is also the first to point out the flaws or dangers of the group's plans

Bobby - The Barbarian

Bobby is the youngest member of the team. He is Sheila's younger brother; in contrast to her, Bobby is impulsive and ready to run headlong into battle, even against physically superior enemies, usually resulting in one of the others moving him from harm's way. He has a close relationship with Uni and is often reluctant to leave her when they discover a way home. Bobby carries the Thunder Club, which he regularly uses to trigger earthquakes or dislodge rocks when he strikes the ground

They pick up a trusty comedy sidekick in the form of a baby unicorn called Uni.

And encounter the two villains of the show Venger (an evil magician on flying horseback) and Tiamat a five headed dragon.

Mind blowing stuff when you're 10 years old!

Adventure, calamity and comedy ensue as each episode the kids try desperately in vain to reach home whilst inadvertently helping people along the way.

This rag tag bunch worked so well as a team, sure there may of been episodes where there was friction. But it was their diversity and differing outlooks that all added to a much stronger team, allowing them to overcome many obstacles.

Great Nick, enough with the 80's kids TV shows already. How does this help my EBITDA.

Well let me yank the nostalgia rug out from underneath you for a second.

Think of your team as these heroes.

Each one of them having a unique and special outlook on the world (and their voice is their magical item).

Mckinsey

says 

Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35 percent more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15 percent more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians.

Stop and think about that for second.

The beauty of social is that you are rewarded tenfold for having diverse teams as that diversity of thought bleeds through to each of your star players personal brands and unique voice.

Meaning your overall brand appeals to as many people as possible. So why not make your team as diverse as you possibly can? It enriches your culture AND puts more money in your pocket.

Harvard Business review says -

Diverse teams are more likely to constantly reexamine facts and remain objective. They may also encourage greater scrutiny of each member’s actions, keeping their joint cognitive resources sharp and vigilant. By breaking up workplace homogeneity, you can allow your employees to become more aware of their own potential biases - entrenched ways of thinking that can otherwise blind them to key information and even lead them to make errors in decision-making processes.

Hop onto that ride and prepare to be transported.

To the realm of social!

If you let them, your intrepid heroes will rise to the adventure.

And is your companies diversity of thought that will show you the way home!