Leading a team outside your area of expertise

Ever found yourself managing a team where you don't have direct experience in their field? I've been there, and I know how nerve-wracking it can be.  In Episode 162 of Managing Made Simple, I'm sharing one of the biggest mistakes I see managers make in this situation: downplaying their own expertise. It might seem humble, but trust me, this can seriously backfire. Your team needs a confident leader, someone who can guide them and provide support.  I'll share some practical tips on how to effectively lead a team outside your area of expertise, including how to acknowledge your limitations without diminishing your value, how to leverage your strengths, and how to be a connector who gets your team the support they need.  Plus, I'll share a personal story about the time I had to manage an engineer (with zero engineering background!) and what I learned from that experience. 🎙️ Key Takeaways: [0:00] Intro: The challenge of managing outside your expertise. [1:17] The common mistake managers make in this situation. [3:25] How to lead with humility and credibility. [6:05] A personal story of managing an engineer as a program manager. [9:45] Final tips for building trust and confidence as a leader. 📚 Book Launch: The New Manager Playbook Launching January 27th, 2025! Join the launch notification list for exclusive bonuses and updates: Click here to join. Need help managing your team? Email me at hello@liagarvin.com. -- WORK WITH LIA: How many times have you thought "I wish this whole managing people thing was a little easier" or better yet - "tell me what to do to be a better manager and I'll do it"? I've got you covered ;) My new book, The New Manager Playbook, your comprehensive guide to managing with ease and confidence launches on January 27th and I could not be more excited to share it with you. Head to liagarvin.com/newbook for exclusive updates and bonuses related to launch. Want some support for yourself or your team, let's chat! Schedule a call here: calendly.com/liagarvin/scaleup-strategy CONNECT WITH LIA: Website: https://www.liagarvin.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liagarvin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin/ Music by: https://www.instagram.com/isaacy8s/ Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered. Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work. I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER. Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com Contact: liagarvin.com/contact Email: hello@liagarvin.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvin Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin -- © 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple