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
More description
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
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