Building Confidence in Surveying: The Importance of Communication

In one of the latest episodes of the Surveyor Hub Podcast, Marion sat down with Sam Nicholson, a Chartered Building Surveyor and awarded RICS Matrics Mentor of the Year 2023, to discuss his interesting career journey from lifeboat volunteer to partner at a surveying firm. 

They talk about Sam’s initiation of the informal APC study group, his current role in Wakefields Chartered Building Surveyors, his past experience working on a lifeboat and in emergency management training, as well as emphasise the importance of soft skills and mentoring for the development of highly-skilled surveyors. 

From Lifeboats to Building Surveys

Sam’s route to becoming a surveyor is quite untraditional. Reflecting on his diverse experiences, he shared, “For a while, I spent my time between the mountains in the winter, and then I used to go down to the southwest of France in the summer to spend as much time on the beach as possible. There wasn't much work, and it was a lot more relaxing.” Eventually, he transitioned into offshore emergency management training before diving into surveying.

“When I joined Wakefield’s Chartered Building Surveyors, it was full steam ahead, and I haven’t looked back,” Sam explained. His journey affirms the value of varied life experiences in shaping a well-rounded surveyor.

Communication: The Key to Surveying Success

Sam’s career has taught him that technical knowledge alone is not enough for a job that impacts people so much as surveying does. “The softer skills, in terms of communication and people management, are just as critical,” he said. These skills, honed through years of diverse roles, allow surveyors to connect with clients and stakeholders effectively.

Recalling his initial struggles with public speaking, Sam shared, “This was the first role where I was standing up in front of a group of anywhere from two to 30 or 40 people and saying, ‘Look, this is what we're going to do, and this is how it's going to work.’ It was intimidating for the first few times, but repetition and preparation made all the difference.”

He also emphasised building rapport. “Try to find a common ground with whoever you’re talking to,” he advised. “People love to talk about their hobbies, holidays, or weekend plans. It’s a great way to break the ice.”

Fostering Community and Mentorship

Sam is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of surveyors through his work with the APC study group he founded. “At first, there were just four or five of us in a network. We’d speak every now and then and have a call every few weeks,” he said. Over time, the group grew exponentially. “Now, we’ve got hundreds of members, and it’s become an invaluable resource for candidates preparing for their interviews.”

This sense of community extends to his involvement with Matrics, a network aimed at early-career professionals. “Matrics Newcastle organised some great events,” he shared. “We had everything from surfing to pizza-making and even a sports day with an egg-and-spoon race. It’s about fostering connections in a relaxed environment.”

Building Confidence as a Surveyor

Sam is candid about facing imposter syndrome early on in his surveying career. “When I started going to networking events, I was nervous. I didn’t know anyone, and I felt like I didn’t belong,” he admitted. But he made preparation and persistence his strategy. “The more events you attend, the easier it gets. Remembering small details from previous conversations, like someone’s holiday plans, can go a long way.”

Sam also reflects on winning the Mentor of the Year 2023 award. “It was the last award of the night, and I’d almost given up,” he said. “But when they called my name, it was an incredible feeling. It’s a reminder that hard work and genuine care for others pay off.”

What’s Next for Surveying?

As a partner at Wakefield’s, Sam is passionate about driving the profession forward. “Surveying is about more than technical expertise; it’s about helping people and solving problems,” he said. “We need to focus on the human side of our work, whether that’s communicating clearly with clients or mentoring new surveyors.”

For Sam, the future lies in creating spaces where both professionals and their customers feel supported and valued. “We’ve got to move beyond the idea that surveying is just about buildings,” he said. “It’s about the people who live and work in those buildings. It’s about fixing problems, helping people, and leaving things better than you found them.”

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