Soft Skills Matter: Communication and Collaboration in Environmental Teams

Entering environmental consulting is exciting—and demanding. New professionals quickly find themselves balancing fieldwork, regulatory requirements, tight deadlines, and high client expectations, particularly in areas like environmental due diligence and brownfield redevelopment. As a company that provides environmental training programs, we work with consulting firms every day, and one message consistently resonates with early-career staff: technical skills will get you hired, but soft skills will determine how fast you grow.

For newer environmental professionals, learning how to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively can be just as important as mastering Phase I ESA standards or sampling protocols.

Why Soft Skills Matter Early in Your Consulting Career

Due diligence and brownfield projects move quickly and involve many stakeholders. Junior staff are often the first on site, the first to notice potential issues, and the first to communicate findings up the chain. How you document observations, ask questions, and interact with others directly affects project quality and risk management.

Developing strong soft skills early helps you:

• Avoid misunderstandings that lead to rework

• Build trust with project managers and clients

• Gain confidence in high-pressure environments

• Position yourself for advancement into project management roles

Communication: Building Professional Credibility from Day One

Clear communication is one of the fastest ways for new consultants to stand out.

Writing Clear, Defensible Documentation

Field notes, site photos, and data summaries often become part of legal and financial decision-making. Learning to write clearly, objectively, and consistently is critical. Avoid assumptions, be precise in your language, and always document what you observed—not what you think “should” be there.

How to develop this skill:

• Review example reports and past deliverables from your firm

• Ask senior staff for feedback on your writing

• Practice summarizing site findings in a few concise bullet points

Asking the Right Questions

New professionals sometimes hesitate to ask questions, but due diligence and brownfield work leave little room for guesswork. Asking clarifying questions early can prevent costly mistakes later.

How to develop this skill:

• Prepare questions before meetings or site visits

• Frame questions around risk and compliance (“How does this affect the REC determination?”)

• Take notes and follow up to confirm understanding

Communicating Risk, Not Just Data

Environmental consulting isn’t just about collecting data—it’s about explaining what that data means. Even early in your career, understanding how findings may affect redevelopment, financing, or liability helps you communicate more effectively with project managers.

How to develop this skill:

• Learn the basics of how ESAs support real estate decisions

• Ask how your field findings are used in final conclusions

• Practice explaining technical concepts in plain language

Collaboration: Learning to Work Effectively in Project Teams

Environmental consulting is a team effort, and new professionals play a critical role.

Supporting Project Managers

Project managers rely on junior staff for accurate information and timely updates. Being proactive and organized builds trust quickly.

How to develop this skill:

• Communicate schedule changes or site issues as soon as they arise

• Confirm expectations for deliverables and timelines

• Use shared project tools and file structures consistently

Learning from Cross-Disciplinary Teams

Due diligence and brownfield redevelopment often involve engineers, geologists, risk assessors, and legal professionals. Exposure to different perspectives strengthens your understanding of the full project lifecycle.

How to develop this skill:

• Pay attention to how different disciplines interpret the same site data

• Volunteer for projects that stretch beyond your core expertise

• Listen more than you speak when working with experienced team members

Handling Feedback Professionally

Feedback is a constant in consulting—and a powerful learning tool.

How to develop this skill:

• View feedback as risk reduction, not criticism

• Ask for clarification if feedback isn’t clear

• Apply lessons learned to the next project

How Training Can Accelerate Soft Skill Development

Formal training can shorten the learning curve for new environmental professionals. In our training programs, we integrate real-world consulting scenarios to help early-career staff practice:

• Communicating findings under tight deadlines

• Coordinating field and office workflows

• Understanding how technical work supports due diligence decisions

• Collaborating effectively in brownfield redevelopment projects

By pairing technical instruction with communication and collaboration training, firms create more confident, capable professionals—and stronger project teams.

Investing in Your Professional Foundation

For new environmental consultants, soft skills are not something to “pick up later.” They are foundational skills that support everything you do, from your first site visit to your future role as a project manager or technical lead.

In environmental due diligence and brownfield redevelopment, your ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively protects your firm, supports your clients, and advances your career. Investing time in developing these skills now pays dividends throughout your professional journey—and strengthens the environmental consulting industry as a whole.