From Observation to Revelation: Learning to See People Through Faith
Cindy Keyes
The Gap Strategist™
Founder & Executive Coach
Cindy with her mother
Learning to See Through Faith
I arrived in the United States at six years old, not speaking a word of English. Everything was foreign, overwhelming, and new. Yet I had something that would become my greatest gift: a zest for learning through observation. I watched people—how they moved, how they spoke, how they connected. I learned English by observing. I learned culture by observing. And eventually, I learned how to succeed by observing.
My first job in the beauty industry was as a Clinique counter girl. The glamour of the industry enticed me, so I pursued modeling on the side. Even as I rose through the ranks of corporate—six promotions in 15 years, climbing all the way to executive leadership—something was missing. The promotions came. The success came. True fulfillment? That eluded me.
I had mastered a technique I now call The Gap Strategy—identifying what my managers needed and filling those gaps before they even asked. It propelled my career to executive leadership. The framework worked.
While my career was soaring, I was struggling in my personal life. Relationships ended. Friendships fell apart. My marriage hit rocky roads that nearly destroyed us. I had success at work, yet my relationships were falling apart.
That's when I made a decision: if The Gap Strategy could propel my career, maybe it could save my relationships too. However, I had to learn to apply it differently. The world teaches us "me, me, me"—focus on your needs, your goals, your success. I was observing people to figure out what I could get from them, not what they needed from me.
With a strong reliance on faith as my teacher, I began to see people differently. Not as obstacles or opportunities, but as souls created by God, each with their own gaps that needed filling. When I applied The Gap Strategy with humility, love, and genuine service—everything changed. My marriage transformed. My family relationships healed. My friendships deepened. The Gap Strategy is what turned my relationships around—the same framework that built my career became the foundation for a fulfilling life.
Today, I've built The Gap Strategist™—a coaching practice where I help Christian women navigating the transitions of their second half: career pivots, empty nest, identity shifts, and the quiet question, What now? Through my proven methodology, The Gap Strategy, I teach what took me two decades and countless heartbreaks to learn: true fulfillment comes not from climbing higher, but from seeing deeper.
Your experience is your asset—not your expiration date.
The Gap Strategy isn't just a career framework—it's a way of living rooted in faith, observation, and service. See people the way God sees people. When you learn this, everything changes.
To make this framework accessible to women everywhere, I distilled 25+ years of experience into The Gap Strategist™ AI Coach—a 24/7 tool that gives you instant access to the same principles I use with my 1-on-1 clients. Whether you're curious about the methodology or ready to dive deep, the AI Coach meets you where you are.
Beyond the Boardroom
When I'm not coaching clients or speaking on stage, you can find me at home in Orange County, California, practicing what I preach—living with intention and balance.
I've been married to my husband for 19 years. Our marriage hasn't always been easy—we've gone through seasons when we didn't think we'd make it. But we learned to "fill the gaps" in our relationship. We realized that success wasn't about one of us winning or being right—it was about collaborating to become one unit. The same framework I teach for career advancement transformed our marriage. When I identified the emotional gaps, workload gaps, and communication gaps between us, everything shifted. That's why I'm so passionate about teaching The Gap Strategy—because I've lived it, not just in the boardroom, but in my own home.
I'm a proud mom to two amazing kids (and two equally energetic dogs—Kona, a rescue mutt, and Rocky, a blue heeler!). My kitchen is my sanctuary—I have a serious passion for sourdough baking, where patience and precision always pay off.
I believe deeply in giving back. My heart beats for organizations that bring faith, hope and healing to the world.
Faith as My Foundation
My faith isn't something I leave at the door when I enter the boardroom or the coaching room—it's the foundation of everything I do. As a Christian, I believe that our careers aren't separate from our spiritual lives. They're one of the primary arenas where we live out our calling and steward the talents God has given us.
When I teach The Gap Strategy, I'm not just teaching career advancement tactics. I'm teaching stewardship—how to faithfully use your gifts to serve others. I'm teaching servant leadership—how to build influence by meeting the needs of those around you. And I'm teaching purpose discovery—how to discern where God has uniquely positioned you to make an impact.
My faith transformed how I approached my own marriage. When my husband and I were struggling, it wasn't just communication techniques that saved us—it was recognizing that our marriage was a calling to serve each other, not compete with each other. The same biblical principles that guide my coaching—love, humility, integrity, wisdom—became the foundation for rebuilding our relationship.
If you're a Christian professional who feels the tension between career ambition and faith values, or if you're searching for deeper purpose in your work, I want you to know: you don't have to compartmentalize. Your career can be an expression of your faith. Your workplace can be your mission field. And The Gap Strategy can help you discover how God has uniquely designed you to serve and lead.
