PR 662 Lecture 46: The Power of Communication Departments

• School: Ball State University
• Department: Public Relations
• Course: PR 662
• Professor: Dr. Lee

Document Summary

Communication departments gain their power from dominant coalitions, whom set missions and goals in organizations. Communication departments show their power through contributions made toward strategic planning. Communicators can"t influence the dominant coalition"s decisions unless the dominant coalition values and supports communication. This value and support seen by communication departments prove their worth to upper-level management through strategic contributions to the organization. These strategic contributions have a circular influence and increase the value and support given by the dominant coalition to the communication department. Ceos and top communicators have to agree on each measure of power in communication excellence. If there is any confusion about the value and support, there is a lack of communication and lessened ability of the communication department to adequately contribute to the organization. Power is the ability to exert influence, which is the ability to get others to change behavior in a way you want it to be or intend it to be.