232. Career Advice: Mental Health Sick Leave, Getting A Promotion & Firing Someone You Like

You got the title. Nobody handed you the playbook.

In this special mailbag edition of The Leader I Needed, James Rosseau Sr. answers the exact career questions newer and newly promoted leaders are asking right now.

Can you take a sick day for your mental health when you just stepped into management, or does that let your whole team down? What actually makes someone sound senior in a meeting when you’re angling for a promotion? And when you’re forced to lay off a strong performer you fought to keep, do you have to be the one in the room?

James answers each one straight, drawing on 20-plus years in corporate leadership and a people-first philosophy rooted in stewardship. You’ll hear why you put your mask on first, why “answer first” beats narrating your whole thought process, and how to deliver the hardest news with empathy without betraying your team or your company.

If you have the responsibility but feel like you’re firefighting and faking it, this one is for you.

Got a question for the mailbag? Reach James directly at ⁠JamesRosseau@holyculture.net⁠