New job tips

[Atleastitsnotsunstroke]

Does anyone have tips for starting a new role? My manager doesn't fully know my area (no reason they should but have always worked for someone who had experience - quite a niche skillset). There's a big project I have a lead role on and it feels quite overwhelming while still finding my feet. Tips on not losing my mind from others who have been there welcome. Its a fixed term so my main focus is just doing it well.

Congratulations on the new role.

Make listening your priority at first - get meetings in with all your stakeholders, team and directs, and find out what they have to say.

Keep an open mind to suggestions but don't feel you have to fix or change everything at once. You won't be able to please everyone.
Don't be afraid to ask 'silly questions' - often they're the questions everyone else wanted to ask but was afraid to.

Also don't be afraid to ask 'why' and keep asking till you get a sensible reason - people can lose sight of purpose very quickly in a large or complex project, and someone with a fresh pair of eyes is in a good position to cut through unnecessary processes and challenge 'we always do this' behaviours when they don't add value.
Make sure you agree clear expectations with your manager, especially as they don't know your area well. You need to make sure your performance is being judged fairly and realistically, so make sure your goals reflect what is achievable and are measurable - there is a risk if they are too vague or rely heavily on things outside your control.

Best of luck!