We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Donna Lindsay and have shared our conversation below.
Donna, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
That’s a powerful question. For me, integrity is the most important. Intelligence and energy are valuable, but without integrity, they can become misused or unsustainable. Integrity grounds everything else. It is what builds trust, credibility, and long-term impact.
I believe energy fuels momentum, intelligence shapes solutions, but integrity ensures that both are directed toward what is right, fair, and lasting. When a leader walks in integrity, they create spaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired to give their best.
I’ve learned in my own journey that challenges and opportunities will always come, but if I remain rooted in integrity, being consistent, honest, and aligned with my values, I can weather difficulties, earn respect, and build something that endures.
So while all three matter, integrity is the anchor that makes intelligence and energy truly effective.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Donna Lindsay, and I am the Founder and CEO of Donna Lindsay Coaching & Consulting, LLC, a WOSB- and WBENC-certified firm. At the heart of my work, I help leaders and organizations scale compassionate leadership by integrating emotional intelligence, neurodiversity awareness, and inclusive practices into everyday strategy. With 30 years of experience in education and more than 20 years in leadership development and coaching, I bring both lived experience and professional expertise to the table.
What makes my brand unique is the way I blend behavioral insight with heart-centered leadership. Through my proprietary frameworks, E.M.P.O.W.E.R.™ and Fruit Dynamics™, I equip executives and teams to build trust, strengthen communication, and create resilient cultures where diverse perspectives are seen as strengths. My own journey of overcoming rejection, insecurity, and challenges with self-love fuels the authenticity I bring into every space.
Right now, I’m working on expanding my corporate training and coaching programs, with a focus on helping organizations in industries like energy, finance, and education align strategy with empathy to create lasting impact. Ultimately, my mission is to inspire leaders to lead in love, embrace diversity of thought, and build workplaces where people truly thrive.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What often breaks the bond between people is not just disagreement, but the absence of trust, honesty, and genuine listening. When pride, fear, or unspoken hurt take center stage, walls go up and connection breaks down. I’ve seen it in relationships, teams, and even within myself; silence, assumptions, or a lack of empathy can quietly erode what once was strong.
Yet what restores bonds is often just as simple, though not always easy: humility, forgiveness, and the willingness to see one another’s humanity again. When people choose to listen without defense, to acknowledge pain, and to extend grace, healing begins. Restoration does not always mean returning to what was. It does mean creating the possibility for a new way forward, one built on deeper understanding, honesty, and compassion.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to myself, it would be, “You are enough, exactly as you are.” But I would not stop there. I would also remind myself to celebrate how far I have come, to honor the resilience that carried me through difficult seasons, and to embrace the grace that allows me to keep growing. I would say, “Be patient with yourself, Donna. Trust the process God has you in. You are worthy of rest, joy, and love, even as you pursue purpose.”
Speaking those words to myself is not just about encouragement, it is about alignment. It is choosing to see myself the way God sees me and letting that truth fuel the way I show up for others.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friend what matters most to me, I believe they would say my faith, my family, and my purpose. They would tell you that I care deeply about living with integrity and leading with love in everything I do. They know how important it is to me to not just accomplish things but to live in alignment with my values and the calling God has placed on my life.
They would also say that I have a heart for people. I am passionate about helping others see their worth, find their voice, and embrace their uniqueness. My friend would tell you that I cannot stand to see people overlooked or undervalued, and that I am intentional about creating spaces where others feel seen, safe, and empowered.
To them, what matters to me is not titles or recognition but legacy. They would say that I want to leave people and places better than I found them. Whether it is in my work, my family, or my community, what matters most is showing up with compassion, building trust, and planting seeds that create lasting impact.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply, and what I have found many people struggle to grasp, is that self-love is not selfish. It is foundational. So often people believe that pouring into themselves somehow takes away from others, when in reality, it is what allows us to give from a place of wholeness instead of depletion. I have lived through seasons of rejection, insecurity, and striving for external validation, and I know firsthand how exhausting and unfulfilling that can be.
What I now understand is that when we nurture our own relationship with God, honor who we are, and create healthy boundaries, we actually become stronger leaders, partners, and visionaries. It is not about perfection. It is about alignment, leading with love for yourself so that you can lead others with compassion, clarity, and authenticity.
Most people hear “self-love” and think of pampering or surface-level affirmations. I understand it as a courageous and spiritual discipline that transforms how we see ourselves and how we impact the world around us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donnalindsay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdonnalindsay/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdonnalindsay/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drdonnalindsay
Image Credits
Antonio Lindsay
Kenya Howell
Daniel Harden
