Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor Podcast! This episode dives into a fundamental question every communications leader should ask: "How Important Is It?"

Tara McDonagh shares insights from a recent strategic planning session with a comms team, where the question revealed surprising opportunities for efficiency, clarity, and advocacy. If you're a communications leader juggling endless priorities, struggling with resource constraints, or looking for ways to focus on what truly matters, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Rethinking Prioritization as a Gift
  Tara challenges the notion of prioritization as a "dirty word," reframing it as a tool to unlock more—more resources, clarity, and focus.
  
  
• A Fresh Approach to the Prioritization Process
  Discover how Tara’s simple yet strategic framework evaluates tasks based on risk, business importance, and communication expertise required. Learn why adding a “people-pleasing bucket” can help identify work that distracts from critical goals.
  
  
• Empowering Others Through Toolkits and Processes
  Why letting go of low-risk, low-value tasks isn’t just about delegation—it’s about empowering colleagues and preserving your team’s capacity for impactful work.
  
  
• How to Advocate for Resources While Holding the Line
  Tara offers practical advice on navigating conversations with executives who may not understand the nuances of communications. From socializing strategic plans to using advocacy questions, she provides actionable steps for negotiating effectively.
  
  

Keep advising, my friends. Keep advising.

If you’re ready to partner with Tara for a workshop, speaker engagement, or ongoing counsel, reach out soon—spots for 2025 are filling up fast. Visit www.taramcdonagh.com for more details.

Raise the Tide™ proudly sponsors this episode, supporting communications leaders as they navigate their careers, connect across industries, and redefine success. Learn more at www.raisethetide.net.