17. Letting Go of Control: Self Compassion, Agency, and Human Centered Leadership with Kyrus Keenan Westcott

In this episode of Unfiltered Leadership, Lindsay Yellin sits down with Kyrus Keenan Westcott (Ky), multi award winning content creator, mental health advocate, and Senior Digital Strategist, for a deeply human conversation about control, burnout, and what it really means to lead yourself and others with compassion.With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, Ky shares how his journey with ADHD, anxiety, and self acceptance reshaped the way he views leadership, success, and worth. Together, Lindsay and Ky unpack why so many leaders feel powerless during times of uncertainty and how reclaiming agency, practicing self compassion, and releasing external validation can radically change how we show up at work and in life.This episode is a must listen for leaders navigating layoffs, burnout, fear based cultures, or the quiet pressure to be “on” all the time.Episode Highlights:Why control is often an illusion and what you actually can controlThe difference between internal validation and external validationHow people pleasing and perfectionism show up in leadershipWhy rest is not a reward, but a necessityHow self compassion strengthens leadership, not weakens itLeading teams through uncertainty with accountability, curiosity, and trustWhy letting your team see you fail builds stronger culturesAbout your host: Lindsay YellinLindsay Yellin is an executive leadership coach, dynamic speaker, and certified ACC and CPCC who helps high-achieving creative leaders trade fear for possibility and self-doubt for self-trust. A former advertising executive, she has led in high-pressure, high-visibility environments and knows the challenge of staying connected to oneself while leading others.✨ Book a Coaching Chemistry Call with Lindsay: https://calendly.com/yellin-coaching/chemistry-call ✨ Get your espresso shot of leadership insight, join the Grounds for Growth newsletter: https://yellingroundsforgrowth.myflodesk.com/groundsforgrowth About KyKyrus Keenan Westcott ("Ky") is a multi-award-winning content creator, mental health advocate, and the voice behind The Vibe With Ky. With a digital community of over 2 million followers, Ky uses humor and authentic storytelling to de-stigmatize conversations around ADHD, introversion, and anxiety. Beyond social media, Ky serves as a Senior Digital Strategist, bridging the gap between corporate expectations and human reality to help leaders create safe, empathetic workspaces.Find Ky at www.thevibewithky.com and on Instagram @thevibewithky