As Women’s History Month draws to a close, it serves as a poignant reminder to contemplate not just the past, but also the future - both for yourself and for the women in your world.

Volume, pitch, inflection, pace, rhythm, rate, intensity, clarity, pauses – all of these play a role in how you say what you say – and that “how”can sometimes be more revealing of your true intent than the “what” contained in the words.

The following eight traits are the guideposts I rely on to motivate my thinking, and I return to them when facing new challenges.

Over 500 communicators gathered at the Chicago’s Intercontinental Hotel on the Magnificent Mile to learn, network and share best practices in what Ragan Consulting Group’s Kristin Graham cheekily called “professional therapy sessions”.

Sharpen your verbal communication skills and your leadership presence will increase.

Communications leaders, in fact all business leaders, are invited based on the value they bring to it. The seat is not one-size-fits-all.