I started with Shining Force. Which is SUPER friendly by comparison to games like FFT and Fire Emblem. If I remember correctly, Vandal Hearts and possibly things like Jean D'arc, Suikoden Tactics, Wild Arms XF are decent midpoints between Shining Force and Tactics Ogre/FFT and FE. Though I've also heard the Advance games aren't quite as brutal

As far as advice? You generally have to multi-task your mind, and take it slow. Try to take into account things like the direction your character is facing, the terrain or elevation they're on. Try to take it slow and only aggro one or two enemies at a time if it's a game with a wide map. Though FFT generally had small maps so that might be harder. It's really not the game you'd want to start off with when going to tactical RPGs, honestly. I never beat it though. I thought there was way too much grinding and stats. So I'm really not the person to be giving really advice for that specific game