Communications Business Advisor

Tara McDonagh
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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

  1. Episode 46: The Strategy That Isn't Working

    6 DAYS AGO

    Episode 46: The Strategy That Isn't Working

    In this third episode of the strategy series, Tara McDonagh tackles one of the most frustrating realities for communications leaders: you built the communications strategic plan … and it still isn't working. The issue isn't always the communications strategy itself. More often, it's what happens after it's built. This episode breaks down why strategies fail to take hold and what it actually takes to make them operational, adopted, and effective. In this episode, Tara explores: The difference between building a strategy and making it real Four common ways strong strategies fail Why lack of alignment, ownership, and cadence derail execution The concept of strategy as change, not a deliverable What operationalizing a strategy actually requires How to keep a strategy alive inside a fast-moving organization What shifts when strategy truly works A communications strategic plan doesn't fail because it's wrong. It fails when it never becomes how the organization actually operates. When the communications strategy becomes real, everything changes: resources grow, influence expands, and communications is pulled in earlier where decisions are shaped. Keep advising. Always keep advising. 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.

    19 min
  2. Episode 45: The Strategy That's Still in Your Head

    20 APR

    Episode 45: The Strategy That's Still in Your Head

    In this follow-up to the long-term planning conversation, Tara McDonagh tackles a common but critical gap for communications leaders: having a strategy… that only exists in your head. You know where the function needs to go. You're making decisions based on it every day. But without documenting and aligning it with your organization, that strategy can't build authority, secure resources, or shape how leadership experiences communications. This episode explores why that happens, what it costs, and how to move from a mental plan to a strategic framework that actually works inside your organization. In this episode, Tara explores: Why a "mental strategy" isn't enough at senior levels The concept of advisory debt and how it limits authority The real reasons strategy stays undocumented What a written strategy actually does for your role and reputation Why plans fail (and end up sitting on a shelf) How to build alignment and keep strategy active Where to start when you're ready to get it out of your head The strategy in your head is a starting point. Authority is built when others can see it, align to it, and work from it. Keep advising. Always keep advising. 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.

    20 min
  3. Episode 44: Long-Term Planning Is Dead (No, It Isn't)

    6 APR

    Episode 44: Long-Term Planning Is Dead (No, It Isn't)

    Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara tackles a narrative that's gaining traction in the field: that long-term planning no longer works in today's constantly shifting environment. Her take is clear. That thinking is not only incorrect, it's risky. While volatility is real, abandoning long-term planning doesn't make communications leaders more agile. It makes them reactive. And over time, that shift changes how the organization experiences communications. This episode reframes planning as a leadership responsibility, not a nice-to-have. Tara walks through why strategy still matters, the hidden cost when it disappears, and how communicators can approach planning in a way that reflects the reality of today's environment without losing strategic grounding. In this episode, Tara explores: Why the idea that "long-term planning is dead" is gaining traction (and why it's wrong) What planning actually does for your role, your team, and your authority The risks of operating without a strategic framework How perception shifts when communications is experienced as reactive How to plan effectively in uncertain, fast-changing environments Long-term planning isn't dead. It's what anchors your authority when everything else is shifting. Resources:  taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara in through the Communications Business Advisor Counsel program mentioned during this episode, or on Communciations Strategic Planning. Raise the Tide Shoreline: https://www.taramcdonagh.com/shoreline/Raise the Tide Surge: https://www.taramcdonagh.com/surge/ 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.

    18 min
  4. Episode 43: Thinking Alone Has a Leadership Ceiling

    23 MAR

    Episode 43: Thinking Alone Has a Leadership Ceiling

    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.

    20 min
  5. Episode 42: When Helpfulness Becomes a Career Ceiling

    9 MAR

    Episode 42: When Helpfulness Becomes a Career Ceiling

    Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this solo episode, Tara explores a counterintuitive pattern she sees repeatedly in her work with communications leaders: many talented communicators don't stall in their careers because they're underperforming. They stall because they've become exceptionally good at being helpful. Helpfulness builds trust early in a career. It creates reputation, reliability, and momentum. But over time, that same instinct can sneakily become a ceiling. When leaders experience communications primarily as the function that executes, smooths, and fixes, it becomes harder for them to experience communicators as strategic partners whose judgment shapes decisions. This episode unpacks how that shift happens, why it's so common in the communications field, and what communicators can do to reposition themselves from executor to advisor. In this episode, Tara explores: Why many communications leaders plateau not from lack of talent, but from being too helpful The difference between being needed for execution and having authority in decision-making How communicators unintentionally train organizations to experience them as executors The subtle signals that shape whether leaders bring communications in early or late Why authority is built through consistent behavior, not titles or structural changes The connection between strategy and executive behavior change How communicators can shift from refining decisions to reframing them Why the transition from tactician to strategist is especially difficult in a misunderstood field The role of judgment, business framing, and questioning assumptions in building authority Helpfulness builds credibility. Judgment builds authority. The organizations' communicators serve don't need more messaging volume. They need communicators whose insight and judgment shape better decisions before messaging ever begins. 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 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.

    18 min
  6. Episode 41: When Everything Feels Heavy, You Might Need More

    23 FEB

    Episode 41: When Everything Feels Heavy, You Might Need More

    Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor podcast. In this solo episode, Tara shares an update, perspective, and invitation. Because right now, if there's one way to describe the collective experience of communications leaders, it's this … it's a lot. The world feels heavy. The mental swivel factor is high. We are absorbing headlines, advising executives, managing reputational risk, running teams, parenting, partnering, and trying to remain reasonably stable humans. Tara shares a personal story about a crisis in her own family that revealed something important about high-functioning leaders: when things get overwhelming, many of us isolate. We narrow the world. We close ranks. We "handle it." But while isolation can often feel like control, it actually makes the load heavier. And for women in communications leadership, that isolation is frequently normalized. This episode explores why connection, not withdrawal, is what allows us to move forward. In this episode, Tara explores: The "mental swivel" reality of modern communications leadership Why high-functioning women default to isolation during crisis The difference between professional processing and emotional processing How isolation slowly becomes normalized in leadership roles Why communications leadership is uniquely heavy right now The cost of carrying complexity alone Why connection is not weakness, but a leadership strategy How peer spaces reduce the invisible weight of this work What authentic leadership looks like during polarized and uncertain times Tara also shares an update on the Raise the Tide ecosystem and why it exists — not as generic professional development, but as intentional connection and growth for women in communications leadership and emerging leadership.. Shoreline: The brand new, Raise the Tide community space for connection and ongoing growth in any location or professional environment (agency, consultant, in-house, non-profit). For listeners interested in exploring Shoreline, Tara shares a limited-time discount code for early members (code: NEWCREW)  Surge: The deeper, more intensive leadership experience for in-house women leaders and emerging leaders with coaching, mentorship, and an in-person retreat. After the upcoming April retreat, Surge membership will close for at least six months to allow the group to deepen. Learn more at raisethetide.com. 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 Raise the Tide emails for women in the field. Until next time, keep advising. Always keep advising.

    18 min
  7. Episode 40: Path to CCO+ with Laura Duda

    9 FEB

    Episode 40: Path to CCO+ with Laura Duda

    Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host, Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara continues the Path to CCO+ series with Laura Duda, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Goodyear. Laura shares what it really means to lead communications at the enterprise level, how she built her path from "writer first" to executive leader, and what communicators need to develop if they want a true seat (and voice) at the decision-making table. From navigating matrixed teams and "shadow communicators," to earning authority through stakeholder insight, to leading through volatility, AI, and modern crisis dynamics, this conversation is packed with practical guidance for directors, VPs, and emerging comms leaders. In this episode, Tara and Laura cover: What the CCO role looks like at Goodyear The scope of Laura's remit across internal + external comms and closely adjacent functions Team size and global structure How to lead in matrix environments and work effectively with "shadow communicators" Laura's career path: from writer to executive leader, including a pivotal industry switch What "authority" really means in communications: shaping decisions, not just messaging The uniquely cross-stakeholder lens communicators bring to the leadership table The CCO skills that matter most: business fluency and humility (especially across generations) Navigating today's reality: AI, volatility, and modern crisis dynamics Why data-driven response protects leaders from overreacting to "viral" noise Advice for directors/VPs who feel stuck: assess your readiness, pursue stretch work, and evaluate whether your environment will sponsor your growth Laura's message is clear: authority is earned daily through credibility, stakeholder insight, and business fluency. Leadership at the CCO level requires both confidence and humility. The path isn't always linear, but communicators who keep learning, keep showing up, and choose growth-oriented environments give themselves the strongest chance to rise. 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 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. Meet Laura Duda Laura Duda is Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. As the Chief Communications Officer, Duda leads all internal and external communications for the company, including public and media relations, employee communications, corporate reputation management, philanthropy and community relations, as well as Goodyear's fleet of world-famous airships. Duda joined Goodyear in 2016, serving as Vice President of Communications for the company's Americas business unit. Before joining Goodyear, Duda led corporate, utility and commercial communications for Chicago, Illinois-based Exelon Corporation and corporate and utility communications for Tampa, Florida-based TECO Energy, Inc. Raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Duda attended Western Carolina University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing & Editing. She later received her Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication from University of Florida and her Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Tampa. She is accredited in Public Relations, is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and is a graduate of Leadership Tampa, Leadership Greater Chicago and Leadership Akron. In 2023, Duda was named a Top 50 Chief Communications Officer by the National Diversity Conference. In 2020 and 2021, she was named to the National Diversity Council's Power 50, honoring women in the C-suite from top corporations who endeavor to improve not just companies, but communities as well. She has also been named to PR Week's Hall of Femme, recognizing inspiring women who set the bar higher within their organizations, nominated by their peers and colleagues, and as one of the Women of Note by Crain's Cleveland Business. Duda is an executive sponsor of the Goodyear Black Network, a board member of the Humane Society of Summit County, United Way of Summit & Medina and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. She is a trustee of the Institute for Public Relations and serves on the editorial board of Corporate Communications Review. She served as the 2024-2025 co-chair for the Harvest for Hunger campaign supporting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

    45 min
  8. Episode 39: Path to CCO+ with Anthony Farina

    26 JAN

    Episode 39: Path to CCO+ with Anthony Farina

    Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara sits down with Anthony Farina, a seasoned global communications leader whose career spans journalism, government, and corporate communications at the highest levels. Anthony currently leads Corporate Communications for Fujifilm in the Americas and previously served as Chief Communications Officer at CSL, where he built a global communications function from the ground up. Together, Tara and Anthony explore what it really takes to grow into senior leadership in communications — not just in title, but in influence. From building strategy-first teams and earning executive trust, to navigating career trade-offs, mentoring the next generation, and giving back to the field, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and lived experience. In this episode, Tara and Anthony cover: Why Communications should be treated as a vocation Why great CCOs focus on three things: strategy and governance, removing obstacles, and being the team's chief cheerleader Building a global communications team from zero to 65 people  How to prove the value of communications through strategy Challenging industry "groupthink" by hiring for diverse backgrounds and perspectives Developing teams through professional growth, not just output What hybrid and remote work require from communicators who want to stay visible and trusted The power of listening as a leadership skill The difference between self-promotion and self-advocacy Why shining a light on others' work builds credibility faster than talking about your own Advice for directors and VPs aiming for CCO roles: start behaving like the role you want The responsibility senior leaders have to give back through mentoring, teaching, and guidance Why passion for the field  and generosity with what you know creates lasting impact Tara and Anthony close with a shared belief: communications leaders have both the opportunity and the responsibility to elevate the field by developing people, not just delivering outputs. Authority is earned through strategy, helping transfer your knowledge, and sustained leadership.  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 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.

    58 min
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About

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

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