Soft Skills Required in the Construction Claims and Disputes Industry
Posted by Nilam Modhwadia, Recruitment Consultant on Thursday, October 10, 2024
We’ve published numerous insightful blogs for our candidates, that focus on the technical competencies necessary for entering the construction claims and disputes industry. However, equally, if not more important, are the soft skills that contribute to success in this dynamic and multifaceted field. In this blog, we will delve into the essential soft skills needed to excel in this specialised field.
Communication Skills
Professionals in construction claims and disputes are required to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, contractors, subcontractors, lawyers and expert witnesses. Effective written and verbal communication ensures that complex technical and contractual issues are clearly explained and understood by all parties.
- Written communication: Reports, claims, and correspondence must be prepared in a clear, succinct, and organised manner. Poorly written reports can undermine a case because they are frequently the foundation of negotiations and court cases.
- Verbal communication: To ensure that stakeholders, both legal and technical, understand the main points, professionals must be able to make their points clearly and persuasively in meetings, presentations, and court.
- Active listening is equally important: understanding the perspectives and concerns of others can lead to more amicable solutions.
Professionals who can articulate issues and solutions effectively will help eliminate any misunderstandings moving forward.
Negotiation Skills
Due to the high stakes and complexity of the work in the claims and disputes industry, where disputes can involve significant financial, legal, and reputational risks for all parties involved, negotiation skills are essential. Proficient negotiators are able to steer conversations with an emphasis on mutual gain, which can result in quicker, more satisfying agreements for all parties, without the need to go to court. Finding points of agreement and coming up with original solutions are crucial for reaching a peaceful resolution to disputes.
Conflict Resolution
Construction disputes can escalate quickly, making conflict resolution skills essential. Professionals must approach disagreements with a problem-solving attitude and maintain composure under duress. This entails handling the current problem as well as controlling feelings and remaining professional. A well-prepared claims and disputes specialist can mediate disputes and encourage communication between parties to settle issues before they get out of hand.
Critical thinking
Though critical thinking is frequently regarded as a hard skill, it contains important soft skill components as well. Professionals must (often under time pressure) adeptly assess situations, pinpoint underlying issues, and critically evaluate potential solutions. Not all disputes have straightforward solutions. Being able to think outside the box to find innovative solutions or settlement options can be a key differentiator.
Adaptability
The construction industry is dynamic and unpredictable, characterised by shifting laws and regulations, project scopes and team compositions. Professionals need to be flexible and willing to quickly modify their plans in response to new information or changing conditions. This adaptability makes it possible to respond more quickly to problems as they emerge and prevent disputes from escalating.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Working in the claims and disputes industry doesn’t mean you’ll only be working with your own colleagues. Construction projects often involve multiple stakeholders, from contractors to clients and regulatory bodies. Professionals skilled in teamwork can foster a collaborative environment that encourages open communication and shared problem-solving. By building strong relationships with stakeholders, claims and disputes professionals can ensure that everyone is on the same page, minimizing misunderstandings that could lead to disputes.
Moreover, building trust and strong relationships with clients is vital for securing repeat business and referrals in this industry. Gaining a deep understanding of client needs and effectively managing their expectations throughout the process is key to ensuring long-term success. Simultaneously, the ability to network and being able to build a strong network of contacts within the construction and legal industries is vital and can open doors to new opportunities and resources, including potential clients.
Tenacity and Resilience
Professionals in this high-pressure field deal with challenging disputes, difficult clients, and tight deadlines. Maintaining focus and the ability to bounce back are critical skills for long-term success. Resilient professionals proactively seek to learn from every experience, critically analyse what worked and what didn’t, and apply those insights to refine their strategies and improve their performance in future cases.
Clients often rely on claims and disputes professionals to be their advocates, especially when facing tough opposition from contractors, subcontractors, companies etc. Demonstrating tenacity builds client confidence. When clients see that you’re willing to fight for their interests, even in the face of adversity, it strengthens trust and can lead to long-term professional relationships.
Tenacity is also key to continuous improvement in the construction claims and disputes industry. This field demands a commitment to constant learning—whether it’s staying current with new regulations, adapting to evolving contract frameworks, or drawing lessons from past disputes.
Conclusion
In construction claims and disputes, technical knowledge is essential, but it is the soft skills that truly set professionals apart. Moreover, the demand and urgency for soft skills will continue to grow, since software and AI may be able to take over many of the hard skills in the future. By honing skills in communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, teamwork, adaptability, and critical thinking, claims and disputes professionals can navigate the complexities of the industry more effectively.
If you are an interviewer or a current professional in the disputes sector, I would love to hear any additional thoughts or even advice you have for aspiring claims and disputes professionals that I can pass along.
If you're preparing for an interview in the construction disputes sector, I wish you the best of luck! Should you need guidance or assistance in securing interviews and landing a new job in this dynamic and growing field, don't hesitate to reach out!
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Nilam is a Recruitment Consultant based in the Maxim head office in Leicester, UK. She supports the team with researching, headhunting, shortlisting, and interviewing valuable construction industry candidates, to place them in premium construction jobs with our market-leading UK and international clients.