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Communications Business AdvisorAuthor: Tara McDonagh
The Communications Business Advisor Podcast addresses the misunderstood and oversimplified field of communications in the corporate world, and elevates the reputation of the field and the people in it as Critical Business Advisors, never order takers. Hosted by Tara McDonagh, a Corporate Communications expert with 25 years of experience for some of the biggest brands around, the Communications Business Advisor podcast is a place to share our vision for the field, discuss the challenges we face, and approaches to elevate our field and ourselves as critical advisors. Episode topics include everything from teaching executives how to treat us, to measurement that matters, building a business case for budget, and gender bias impacting our field and the people in it. Join Tara McDonagh in the movement to prove that our value as a business area is not only helpful, it's imperative to a company's success. Find more at www.taramcdonagh.com or follow Tara on LinkedIn where she writes about Communications topics for our field five days a week at: www.linkedin.com/in/taramurraymcdonagh Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Episode 43: Thinking Alone Has a Leadership Ceiling
Monday, 23 March, 2026
Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara explores what happens when you're not in the right room — and how the right room can completely change your thinking, decisions, and authority. Building on recent conversations about isolation and helpfulness, this episode focuses on a key shift: strong leadership isn't built in isolation. It's built in dialogue. Tara shares how even experienced communicators can miss critical angles when thinking alone — not because they lack skill, but because of natural blind spots. The right conversation, with the right person, can change everything. This episode reframes "finding your people" as something much more than support. It's a leadership strategy that directly impacts how you think, advise, and show up in your role. In this episode, Tara explores: Why strong communicators can still have blind spots in their thinking The concept that judgment sharpens in dialogue, not isolation How thinking alone creates efficiency but can limit accuracy The difference between a room that validates you and a room that sharpens your thinking Why most professional environments don't provide the space for true, honest thinking The importance of shared context when discussing complex communications challenges How consistent dialogue over time strengthens decision-making Why psychological safety is essential for real, strategic conversations The connection between better thinking, stronger counsel, and increased authority How the right room changes not just your confidence, but how your organization experiences you The room where your thinking gets better is not optional. It's how better decisions … and strong leadership … are built. Resources: Raise the Tide Shoreline: https://www.taramcdonagh.com/shoreline/ Raise the Tide Surge: https://www.taramcdonagh.com/surge/ Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara or sign up for her newsletter on advancing as a Communications Business Advisor, Level Up: Be Extra, and her Raise the Tide™ emails for women in the field. This episode is sponsored by Raise the Tide™, a professional development ecosystem for women in communications — helping them grow, connect, and lead with confidence through mentorship, coaching, professional development, and community. If you found this episode valuable, please rate and review — it helps more communicators find the show and strengthens our collective voice. Until next time, keep advising. Always keep advising.
