To perform effectively, a team requires three different types of skills. First, it needs people with technical expertise to perform the task at hand. Second, it needs people with problem-solving and decision-making skills to be able to identify problems, generate alternatives, and make competent choices. Finally, and perhaps most importantly for group cohesion, a team needs people with strong interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills include effective listening, feedback, and conflict resolution.

In the scenario provided, the team had the 'hard' skills (technical and analytical) but lacked the 'soft' skills required to navigate the social complexities of working as a unit. Without interpersonal skills, a team may have the smartest individuals but still fail because they cannot communicate effectively or resolve the inevitable friction that arises during a long-term project. While 'propensity for social loafing' is a behavior to avoid, and 'authoritarian personality' is often a hindrance, the foundational 'ability' cited in organizational behavior literature as a prerequisite for team success alongside technical and problem-solving skills is interpersonal competence.