Episode 38: Communicators' Word for 2026

About this episode

Tara McDonagh discusses the importance of authority for communications professionals in 2026, addressing challenges like burnout and accountability.

Welcome to the C ommunications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara opens the new season with a declaration — not a trend forecast or resolution — naming the official word for communications professionals in 2026: authority. Building on last year's word, no, Tara explains why the moment has shifted. While boundaries and discernment remain critical, communicators are facing a deeper challenge: being held accountable for outcomes without being empowered early enough to influence them. This episode unpacks why burnout, frustration, and stagnation persist even in "successful" roles — and why authority, not resilience or effort, is the missing piece. Tara reframes authority not as hierarchy or ego, but as earned weight, judgment, and influence that allows communicators to help the business think, not just speak. In this episode, Tara covers: Why a uthority — not visibility, speed, or helpfulness — is the defining need for communicators in 2026 How being "deeply accountable but not deeply empowered" leads to burnout and role erosion The difference between responsiveness and judgment, and why one gets rewarded while the other gets sidelined What…

People in this episode

Host: Tara McDonagh

Topics covered

• authority in communications
• burnout
• accountability
• strategic communications
• leadership expectations

Keywords

• communications
• authority
• burnout
• accountability
• strategic planning
• influence
• leadership

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