An IT company creates a cross-functional project team with members from software, marketing, and customer support to launch a new app.

Initial Situation

Initially, meetings are chaotic:

  1. Technical members use jargon and ignore marketing concerns.
  2. Marketing pushes for a quick launch without understanding technical limitations.
  3. Customer support worries about user complaints but feels nobody listens.

Role of Interpersonal Skills

One team member, Aisha, has strong interpersonal skills. She takes the initiative to:

  1. Use clear, simple language so all functions understand each other.
  2. Paraphrase (“So marketing’s concern is…”, “Tech team is saying that…”) to show active listening.
  3. Encourage quieter members (support team) to share real customer pain points.

Result

Gradually, others copy her style. People wait for their turn, ask clarifying questions, and separate “issue with idea” from “issue with person”.

The team agrees on a realistic launch timeline and features prioritised according to both technical feasibility and customer needs.

The app launches with fewer bugs and better user acceptance because of improved communication and collaboration.


Course Content