In her talk, "Take the Stairs," Ruth explores the importance of choosing the thoughtful, deliberate path in communication. She shares her experiences as a communication specialist, highlighting that true communication is about strength, clarity, and effectiveness. Ruth introduces the concept tact - as essential for handling difficult conversations and maintaining strong relationships. Using relatable examples, Ruth emphasizes the need for self-awareness, self-regulation and attentive listening in our interactions. She challenges us to be more considerate and better listeners, reminding us that effective communication often requires patience and thoughtful responses. By taking the stairs in our daily interactions, we can become better communicators today than we were yesterday. Ruth Mthembu is a dynamic communication specialist and legal enthusiast. Whether she's an intriguing individual or a ‘person of interest’ depends on which side of the bed she wakes up on. Ruth is the founder of Tact-fully.co, a platform launched in 2022 that offers free resources to help young professionals master workplace communication. She also serves as the Content & Communication Manager at the Institute for Internal Communication Africa (IFICA), an organisation dedicated to fostering excellence and innovation in internal communication across the continent. When she's not immersed in her role as a Senior Communication Officer at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), you can find Ruth indulging in her coffee addiction or getting lost in a good book. Her career journey has been anything but linear, yet incredibly rewarding. Ruth's love for communication is deeply rooted in her passion for people, which shines through in her documentary work, national TV campaigns, environmental and community impact projects. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx