Senior role, but struggling with lack of confidence and specialist knowledge

[Whereisme]

I have been in a new role since the beginning of the year with a really lovely team. I am a senior manager, but haven’t worked in this specific field before. I am trying to learn as much as I can, but I find it hard line managing people who have worked there for a number of years and therefore have good knowledge of the processes and operational side of the organisation. I know I was hired for my strategic experience, but feel really unconfident. Also feel like an idiot when someone comes to me with a specific query and I’m not sure of the answer! Apart from learning and asking questions please can people advise me what else to do and how I can be more confident!

Wow! Didn’t realise that all the problems with businesses and public services were my fault!

I’m being deliberately vague in my post, but I do have experience in this industry, but not in this particular team. I am not struggling and have been told that I’m doing really well, but I set high standards for myself. And I have never hidden anything from my team!

I posted to ask for advice. However, instead you decided to stick the boot in to someone feeling vulnerable. I hope that makes you feel good about yourself.

The strategic plan needs to include a complete handbook of the organisation so no one is floundering just because everyone fell off a cliff.
Ok a few crib sheets if useful and essential information would be a good start.

An undocumented history is not long-term.

If it’s any comfort I’ve been internally sideways promoted into a team where I do have the technical knowledge and I’m still feeling like you do! Not helped by the fact that there was no one in role for six months (for good reasons but…) and therefore zero handover. I’m being very upfront with both the team and my boss (and his boss) and we’re all rallying together, which I find people will do if you’re open but learning quickly.

Is the detail you don’t know detail that you need to know? Because I work in the rank below what I would consider senior manager, and it’s my job to know the detail and advise the senior on it, and it’s their job to think strategically and act on my advice (more or less). They absolutely should and do direct questions to me!

I’d suggest getting a coach/mentor (think through which one you need). A coach for general approach to life, management, confidence, or a mentor for industry/level-specific advice.