Amy M. Young

Media & Research

Ideas grounded in evidence — from peer-reviewed journals to talks, podcasts, and webinars.

Radiology Am. J. of Roentgenology J. Occupational & Env. Medicine Oxford University Press Michigan Ross

Selected Peer-Reviewed Articles

The evidence base

Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine · 2024

Leadership communication and feeling valued to prevent burnout and turnover among healthcare professionals

Young, A. M., Aronoff, C., Goel, S., Jerome, M., & Brower, K. (2024). JOEM, 66(4), 305–309.

Examining more than 20,000 faculty and staff at a large academic medical center, this study found effective leadership communication was a stronger predictor of burnout and intent to stay than satisfaction with compensation or work-home flexibility — making an empirical case that how leaders communicate is one of the highest-leverage interventions available.
Radiology · 2024

Positive leadership within breast imaging: Impact on burnout, intent to leave, and engagement

Young, A. M., Garver, K. A., & Gulani, V. (2024). Radiology, 311(2), e232329.

A prospective study of a two-year positive leadership program at Michigan Medicine. Following implementation, significant improvements appeared in leadership communication perceptions, workplace climate, and engagement — alongside meaningful reductions in burnout and intent to leave.

Forthcoming Work

What’s next

Oxford University Press · 2027

Communication that ignites relational energy

Young, A. M. (2027). In K. S. Cameron, G. M. Spreitzer, & M. Worline (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship (2nd ed.).

A sole-authored chapter presenting Amy’s theoretical and empirical work on the communication practices that generate relational energy, with an integrated model connecting leadership communication to engagement, wellbeing, and performance.
Berrett-Koehler · January 2027

Relational Energy: How to Beat Burnout and Ignite Your Team

Young, A. M. with Cameron, K. (2027). Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Amy’s forthcoming book brings her research to a broad leadership audience for the first time — drawing on interviews with energizing leaders across industries, her own pandemic-era studies, and decades of positive organizational scholarship. Pre-order now →

Talks, Podcasts & Webinars

Amy in conversation

Talk

Reducing Burnout Through Relational Energy

Michigan Ross · Oct 2024

An ideal introduction to Amy’s work — making the case for how more positive social interactions boost wellbeing and performance.

Podcast

From Burnout to Belonging: Flourishing Healthcare Cultures

The Symptom Media Podcast · Dec 2025

Moving beyond managing burnout to building the relational conditions where healthcare workers genuinely belong and thrive.

Podcast

Leadership Communication, Feeling Valued & Burnout — Ep. 35

Vital Signs, hosted by Diane Shannon, MD · Apr 2025

Exploring the implications of Amy’s research for women physicians and healthcare leaders.

Podcast

Leadership Communication, Feeling Valued & Burnout — Ep. 30

Vital Signs, hosted by Diane Shannon, MD · Jan 2025

The direct connection between leadership communication, physicians feeling valued, and burnout risk.

Podcast

Creating a Positive Culture Change in Business Organizations

Happiness Squad · Apr 2023

What it actually takes to create lasting positive culture change — beyond surface-level initiatives.

Webinar

You’re Getting on My Nerves

The BluePrint Toolset · Feb 2023

The power of voice and facial expression to shape the wellbeing of others — the neuroscience behind relational energy.

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