The Book
How to Beat Burnout and Ignite Your Team
Amy Young with Kim Cameron · Berrett-Koehler · January 2027
“Every leader is dealing with burnout. Most are looking for something they can actually do. This book is it.”
Relational energy is the feeling of uplift and renewed zest that follows a positive interaction with another person.
We have all felt it — the conversation that leaves you more motivated than when it started, the leader who somehow makes a hard week feel more manageable, the team that faces difficulty together and comes out stronger on the other side. It is not a soft concept. It is a measurable, physiological shift in how the body and brain respond to the perception that our environment is ripe with possibility and positive connections, or riddled with problems and discord.
Amy Young spent years as a self-described skeptic, trained as a research psychologist to hunt for flaws in others’ work. Then one evening, leaving her office at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, she witnessed one of the school’s most celebrated faculty members in animated, joyful conversation with the building’s nighttime custodian — fully present, completely at ease, indifferent to rank or status.
She felt noticeably lighter. More energized. Uplifted. And she couldn’t explain why.
That moment sent her on a rigorous investigation — and eventually led her to interview energizing leaders across different industries and organizations. What she discovered changed how she thinks about leadership, burnout, and what it actually takes to build a thriving team in a world that keeps demanding more.
Relational Energy shares what she learned — the mindsets, daily habits, and communication practices that allow exceptional leaders to keep their teams energized and engaged, even when the demands never let up.
Praise
“In Relational Energy, Young and Cameron deliver a masterclass on channeling your energy in tandem with team energies for the benefit of all. Essential reading for anyone motivated to lead themselves and others more effectively.”
— Ethan Kross, bestselling author of Chatter and Shift
“This book, built with solid research as well as clear, actionable insights, proves an invaluable guide for leaders looking to strengthen performance while sustaining energy and resilience.”
— Phil Waldeck, Executive VP of US Businesses, Prudential
“Relationships are not separate from performance; they are the foundation of it. In workplaces defined by endless demands and complexity, trust, connection, and genuine appreciation build teams that are resilient, energized, and capable of achieving meaningful results.”
— Paul DeChant, CEO, leadership educator, and author of Preventing Physician Burnout
“If you’ve ever wondered how to become a truly energizing leader—for yourself or for others—this book offers a clear and compelling answer. It reveals the essential pathways to how to unlock and amplify energy as the most vital—and often overlooked—resource in leadership.”
— Jane E. Dutton, Distinguished University Professor Emerita, University of Michigan
“What makes this book so powerful is that it doesn’t ignore the hard realities of modern work—it shows us how authentic connection, humility, and positive leadership can help people thrive within them. Relational Energy is a timely invitation to build workplaces where people feel more alive, capable, and connected.”
— Ashish Kothari, founder and CEO, Happiness Squad
“I wish I had this book thirty years ago when I struggled with defining my own leadership style. The pragmatic approach she brings with real-life stories and thought-provoking questions makes it an easy read that empowers you to authentically put the lessons to use in your own leadership.”
— George L. Palms Jr., CEO, Banner Life, Retirement
For Organizations
Relational Energy is available for bulk orders for organizations, leadership teams, conferences, and workshops. Bulk orders may be combined with a speaking engagement or workshop with Amy.
Amy M. Young