About Me
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My drive comes from the fulfillment I experience when I help
people grow, be empowered and reach for their potential.​
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This drive comes from my personal story.
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​Like many people I was a part of the 'The Great Resignation.'​
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The question was, why would I quit a job that I was successful at, and brought many accolades?
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After all, I successfully revitalized and directed a university arts center
that had been dormant for three years prior to my appointment
​I scaled programs, streamlined operations, and branded the center as a leading regional cultural institution.
This led to programs being featured on Smithsonian Online Magazine, NPR and other cultural outlets.
Equally important, I ensured the center had solid fiscal health and solvency. ​
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​​With those accomplishments and more...
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The hard truth was that I was unfulfilled in my personal and professional life.
Although I had significant accomplishments, there was little opportunity for growth.
I wondered, was working hard, for limited growth opportunities, while living away from family worth it?
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The answer was NO!
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This me led to finally acknowledge that.
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​​I was not purposely growing in a direction that supported my full potential as a human and a leader. ​
I was out of alignment with my soul needs and was not harmonizing spirit with my professional life.
AND
I also had unprocessed grief over the passing of my mother due to Covid-19 and wished to prioritize family more.
​Thus I resigned.
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As a result, my inner landscape transformed to one where soul needs and professional needs align.
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This alignment gave me clarity, purpose, and harmonized my values with needs.
It also led me one to wake up with an idea; give a TEDx Talk on human growth needs.​​​​​​​​​
When I was developing my TEDx talk, it was a time of inner reflection.
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During this TIME I wondered,
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How many people feel frustrated because their growth needs are not being met?
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How many people feel disconnected and out of alignment, professionally and personally? ​​​
The answer is a lot more than we think!
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Research data points to employee discontent and the reasons for it: lack of opportunity for growth and a sense of disempowerment, which affects our ability to reach our potential.
I see this as not just a lack of career opportunity,
but also a lack of opportunity to fulfill our 'soul' growth needs,
which are often expressed through career growth.
TAKE AWAYS / THE HUMAN ELEMENT
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Organizations that fail to CONNECT with employees on a human level and develop talent will loose it.
The Great Resignation taught us that.
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People who do not UNDERSTAND their personal and professional needs, lack clarity and purpose.
That will impact how they feel about themselves and will stun their growth needs.
MY MISSION
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To help empower and transform individuals and organizations by focusing on the human element.
Cindy' TEDx Talk
Filled with excitement before the event in the Green Room.
"The Power of Recognizing Potential" Clip-Full talk to be release by TED soon.
TEDx San Luis Obispo Presentation Overview
Talk Given April 2024
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The Power of Recognizing Potential: The Triad of Recognition // How often do you see potential in others? And how often do you recognize potential in yourself? The determining factors are explained by the triad of recognition; you can start using this technique today!
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For more TEDx San Luis Obispo information visit:
https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/55544
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Short Professional Bio
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Dr. Cindy Urrutia is a thought leader and visionary, with a background in leadership, higher education and the arts. She is the author and editor of over 9 books. She has curated over 20 art, culture, and multimedia exhibitions featured in leading publications and media outlets. She has also spoken and presented at colloquia and conferences, as well as led workshops, panel discussions, and other events.
In her last higher education post, Dr. Urrutia served as the Director of the Center for Creativity and the Arts at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), where she revitalized the center which had previously been dormant for several years prior to her directorship.
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Dr. Urrutia is dedicated to helping people thrive, as well as helping them to develop and grow professionally and personally. She has done this as a leadership practice through consulting, mentoring, and volunteer work.