From Fear to Bold Vision: Lindsey Garner on True Leadership Development

What happens when a nonprofit CEO faces midlife, burnout, and the quiet realization that she’s playing it too safe? 

For Lindsey Garner, the answer wasn’t a retreat, it was expansion. 

In this powerful conversation on Inner Work, Lindsey shares how a personal reckoning turned into a bold capital campaign, a new building for her organization, and a renewed vision for how she leads. This episode explores what true leadership development looks like behind the scenes; vulnerable, messy, and absolutely worth it.

The Disruption: “Am I Playing Too Safe?”

Lindsey Garner, CEO of Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County, had spent years supporting students through crisis and change, but behind the scenes, she was quietly resisting her own discomfort. A self-described cautious leader, Lindsey had long relied on predictability and safety. But turning 40 sparked something deeper: a midlife assessment that forced her to ask, What am I holding back?

It wasn’t a breakdown… it was a breakthrough.

The Inner Work:  Letting Go of Fear, Seeking Something Deeper

Lindsey’s journey inward led to some bold outward moves: launching a capital campaign, designing a new facility for her staff and students, and confronting tough ethical and political tensions within the social work landscape.

She spoke openly about fear, faith, and the struggle to lead without consensus, especially during times of cultural division. But it was her willingness to stay humble, to admit mistakes, and to keep listening that kept her grounded as a leader.

Her most courageous moment? Choosing to build something that didn’t yet exist, not just for her organization, but for her family, her church, and herself.

The Rebuild: Building More Than a Building: Vision, Team, and Trust

Today, Lindsey leads 108 staff across 11 districts, serves 4 counties, and has built a thriving support network for mothers of neurodiverse children. She’s also launching a special needs ministry at her church, a deeply personal step rooted in her own parenting journey.

Through it all, her leadership mantra has remained clear: “Leave it all on the court.”

This isn't about flashy wins. It’s about meaningful, incremental change backed by courage, clarity, and community.

What I Know Now: 5 Lessons from Leading with Humility and Heart

• “Don’t leave anything on the table. Fear isn’t a reason to stay small.”
  
  
• “Buy-in matters… but sometimes, leadership means standing alone.”
  
  
• “There’s always more in us than we think, and we’re equipped when we need it.”
  
  
• “Support is everything. I’ve built teams, groups, and ministries out of sheer necessity, and they’ve become lifelines.”
  
  
• “Humility isn’t weakness. It’s the doorway to real trust and growth.”

🎧 Listen to the full episode now!