"Amplify is essential reading for anyone serious about performance leadership. It brings rare clarity to the realities of leading in high-stakes environments — where the pressure is constant, but so is the potential.

Across three decades in sport, governance and global leadership, I’ve been part of transformative system shifts — from athlete wellbeing and integrity reform, to advancing women in leadership, designing national programmes, and leading major venue and stadium developments. At the heart of it all has been a commitment to building systems that enable people and teams to thrive, perform and succeed on the world stage. I recognise the depth in this book because I’ve lived the realities it speaks to.

Richard has created a powerful resource — one that distils the complexity of sustained high-performance leadership into something deeply usable, clear and relevant. Amplify combines lived experience, thoughtful insight and a strong structural backbone that helps leaders not only sharpen their thinking, but strengthen how they lead.

I’ll be coming back to it often — Amplify sharpens your edge and keeps you leading where it matters most. It’s a leadership essential!"

"If you’re serious about leading and delivering higher performance, then Amplify is essential reading.

Richard has delivered again. This book is packed with practical insights that unpack the real keys to performance leadership. He skillfully balances lived experience with evidence-based thinking — making the complex simple and the abstract actionable.

Amplify is a timely reminder that leadership is defined by action, not by title. In particular, action aligned to purpose. Purpose is fixed, but how we realise it must remain fluid. Richard brings this to life with precision — the more we add, the more we clutter. The less we simplify, the less we execute.

Great leaders empower, not control, because control is often just a poor reaction to pressure. As Amplify shows, sustained performance depends on simplicity, alignment and wellbeing.

This is a book I’ll return to often. I hope you get as much value from it as I did."

"Amplify is an outstanding read. It’s a complete guide to performance leadership. Richard Young has taken decades of elite sport experience and translated it into leadership insights that are deeply practical and powerfully relevant. The analogies are sharp, the structure is clean and the principles are built to last.

This book holds up both a mirror and a map. It helps you see where you are as a leader and where you could go if you choose to lead with clarity, consistency and intent. From clarity traps to performance wellbeing, Amplify is full of ideas that prompt reflection and drive action.

What sets Amplify apart is how it connects the dots between your role as a leader, the environment you shape and the culture you sustain. Richard addresses the central challenge of modern leadership, which is how to build performance that endures. Beyond results — it’s about creating the systems, the people and the conditions that make those results inevitable.

This is a book about legacy and setting a foundation for success that lasts. Having spent a lifetime in elite sport, I can say without hesitation that this is the clearest and most compelling synthesis of what drives sustained performance I’ve read. Richard has achieved what few others manage: he makes the complex feel simple and the simple feel profound."

"Amplify is a leadership masterclass. I loved this book.

At a time when leadership is more complex and consequential than ever, Amplify offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign. More than a book, it’s a leadership reset. Richard Young has created something truly special: a guide that doesn’t just inform, it transforms.

Through powerful examples and probing questions, Amplify invites you to think deeply about what you stand for, how you show up and the impact you leave behind.

One idea that deeply resonated with me is the simple, profound proposition that leadership is stewardship, and stewardship is legacy. High-performance leaders leave things better than they found them. They empower others to thrive—as individuals and as a team. They show up consistently, doing the right things, in the right way, at the right time.

Having worked alongside exceptional leaders throughout my career, I’ve seen what it takes to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Shaped by decades inside elite sport, Richard’s thinking has played a critical role in that success. His ability to distil what really matters in leadership is second to none.

Amplify is packed with insight, challenge, and practical wisdom. It will provoke you, guide you, and stay with you. Every leader, in sport, business and beyond, should read this book."

"Amplify is a standout read and a must-have for any leader’s bookshelf. It is engaging, insightful and packed with practical nuggets that will resonate with anyone committed to leadership and personal growth. It builds brilliantly on Richard’s first book, Simplify. Once again, he’s delivered a thoughtful and powerful contribution to the leadership space.

Having worked with Richard during my time at Cycling New Zealand, I saw firsthand his ability to weave together insights from great leadership thinkers and mentors, while adding his own depth and clarity. I’ve read many related leadership books, including The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and Legacy by James Kerr. Amplify brings many of the best ideas together in one place and adds fresh, original wisdom.

For me, the standout concepts in Amplify are the Three Lights of Leadership paradigm and the Simplicity, Alignment and Wellbeing system. These are innovative and practical, making this book an essential addition to any leader’s library."

"After more than 30 years immersed in high performance — as an Olympian, advocate and leader — I’ve seen what separates good leadership from great. It’s not just what you do; it’s how and why you do it. That’s exactly what Amplify captures.

Richard has distilled decades of lived experience and deep observation into something rare: a guide that speaks to leaders at every level. Whether you’re stepping into a new role or have been in the arena for decades, this book meets you where you are.

What I value most is how Amplify prompts reflection without judgment. It’s a practical companion for leaders who want to grow with intention — to check in on their blind spots and also acknowledge their wisdom and progress.

I’ll be using Amplify regularly — not as a manual, but as a mirror. One that reminds us all how to lead with clarity, energy, and purpose. This is a vital read for anyone serious about sustained high performance."

"Amplify is leadership clarity at its best.

Richard shows how it’s done. He knows how to get to the heart of challenging leadership issues in simple, concise language and clear structure. He uses profound metaphors and analogies to help you understand and design performance-enhancing systems. Building on the foundation of his first book, Simplify, Richard adds depth to mastery and antifragility into his leadership approach. It is concise and practical at the same time.

From firsthand experience, I know that this approach transfers fast and delivers success. If you want leadership that lasts, start here."

"If you care about leadership that holds up under pressure, read this book.

In Amplify, Richard Young has done something rare — he’s captured the essence of performance leadership in a way that is both deeply grounded in lived experience and immediately usable under real-world pressure. Having worked with elite performers across Formula 1, Olympic sport, military training, and corporate leadership, I’ve seen that most ideas crumble under pressure when theory meets reality. Richard’s don’t, because they were forged in it.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its clarity and simplicity. In an age overloaded with content and complexity, Amplify cuts straight to what matters. You won’t find abstract leadership jargon here. It’s a playbook of practical insights backed by decades inside some of the most demanding environments.

Whether you’re leading a boardroom, an organisation or a national programme, Amplify offers something invaluable: a mirror to clarify how you lead — and a map to align, sharpen and fine-tune your impact. This isn’t about adding noise. It’s about raising your signal.

Keep this book close. It’s a leadership edge."

"Amplify nails the reality of high performance — dynamic, unpredictable and often chaotic. Richard captures what it really takes to lead in that space: clarity under pressure, constant decision-making and a leader-leader mindset.

This isn’t about chasing outcomes — it’s about the relentless application of behaviours that drive performance, especially when the path isn’t clear. From navigating incomplete data to reframing and going again, this book shows how high performers stay in motion and stay effective.

Amplify is a must-read for anyone leading in high-pressure environments — whether you’re just starting out or already deep in it.

Having led performance strategy across some of the UK’s most successful teams and organisations, I recognise the power of these insights. Amplify offers a fresh, honest perspective on the real world of high performance — in sport and far beyond."

"What a read! Loved it. A rollicking, energising journey that speaks to the heart of real leadership.

You can feel Richard’s passion and enthusiasm for High Performance. He is hungry to learn and to keep learning. Fortunately for the rest of us, he also has that delicious drive to generously share.

Richard knows where the leverage lies – in the Personal Practical Knowledge (PPK) of those who live high performance. Interviewing, listening, questioning and observing are at the core of his work. Seldom do we get access to such gold.

Leading is about aligning to a vision, crystal clarity about the underpinning mental models, and then designing and implementing the systems and structures needed to live out those mental models to bring the vision to reality. Richard takes us through these phases in detail through his high performance examples.

Everyone leads. Understanding this and balancing our autonomy with the autonomy of those around us is complex. Living the complexity of this responsibility is one of the joys of high performance. This book wraps us in example after example of what this looks like and feels like.

Any reader is going to be challenged to stop regularly, reflect on their own PPK and explore deeply. You won’t escape unaffected. This is the power of Amplify."

"Amplify is the book I wish every coach, athlete and leader had in their hands — not just because it’s insightful, but because it’s usable. It shows you what high performance really looks like behind the curtain and how to lead it from the inside out.”

Even from our early days on the road together, it was clear that Richard was intensely observant and intrepidly curious about high performance. And he’s absolutely hilarious to boot! That mindset has since evolved into a deep, nuanced understanding of what sets high performers apart. In Amplify, Richard distils the intricacies of high performance into a clear, practical guide. It’s a book you’ll return to — whether you’re a student eager to apply these lessons to your own journey, or a seasoned pro in need of a reminder of what it took to get there. If performance matters to you, this book should be on your desk."

"Amplify delivers a clear, practical and repeatable framework for leadership and lasting achievement. Richard Young’s approach is grounded in principles and enriched by decades of experience in high performance, making this a powerful guide to sustained success — whether in sport, business or life. As someone who has led both men’s and women’s teams to Olympic medals under immense pressure, I recognise the depth and clarity this book brings to real-world leadership. I highly recommend it."

"If you’re serious about leading people — not just managing them — Amplify gives you a system to build clarity, momentum and impact in any environment.

We often forget the role sport plays in teaching the skills that matter most in leadership — decision-making under pressure, communication that cuts through, and the discipline to keep showing up. In Amplify, Richard Young highlights the proven strategies from elite sport that can help build and sustain a performance mindset in teams, organisations and leadership.

This book will resonate particularly with those transitioning into leadership roles — whether you’ve come from sport or not. That’s because it’s practical, grounded and full of moments that prompt real reflection.

Amplify is the kind of book that doesn’t just sit on a shelf — it shapes how you show up as a leader."

"Amplify is one of the most grounded and insightful books I’ve read on what real leadership looks like under pressure. It captures the truth about performance leadership — that it’s not about charisma or control, but clarity, consistency and conviction.

Over the years, I’ve worked with and learned from some of the best leaders in Olympic sport. The ones who truly elevated those around them were never the loudest in the room — they were the ones who created environments where people felt seen, trusted, and expected to rise.

Richard Young understands this deeply. In Amplify, he offers a rare blend of high-performance insight and human connection. This book helps you see what separates the leaders who create short-term results from those who build long-term legacy.

If you lead — or aspire to — and care about doing it well, Amplify belongs on your shelf. Or, better yet, in your hands."

"Amplify is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking book. Having had the privilege of working with Richard as a mentor, I was genuinely excited to dive into this.

The title perfectly captures the essence and impact of the content. This is a must-read for anyone striving to build and sustain high-performing environments. Richard has managed to distil the critical elements of performance into a clear, accessible framework that equips coaches and leaders with the tools they need to thrive.

His extensive experience across Olympic programs shines through, providing rich, real-world examples that highlight the nuances of roles, environments, and what it truly takes to deliver under pressure.

Amplify is more than a book — it’s a performance compass. For professionals serious about leading with clarity, conviction, and purpose, this is essential reading."

"Wow!  What a great book!!  Richard Young’s book, Simplify, is a gold-mine of insights about high performance. Based on his extensive and successful experience as an athlete, coach, and performance improvement expert Richard shares so many important secrets of success in such a clear and practical way.

As I read the book, I kept filling up pages with notes that I will refer to often. Richard explains that too many performers complicate performance, thinking that adding techniques will improve performance, when it most often detracts from high performance!  Those who truly understand, and have confidence in their system will eliminate (subtract) non-essentials, and thereby streamline performance.

If you want to become better at whatever you do, and want to help others do likewise, then Simplify is a must-read and a must-use book. "

“Richard had me from the opening sentence and it simply grew from there. In our work in broadcasting and analytical graphics I am often at many of the great events in the world (PGA golf, Americas Cup, Formula1, International cricket, Major league baseball etc.)

My company Animation Research analyses high performance on the world stage and the insights within the book Simplify captures so succinctly how the best can achieve world class results.  To have a book pull these insights together is a competitive advantage for both performers and equally to business. When you decide that you are going to play on the world stage then it is a given that you need to surround yourself with a world class system and world class people who share that vision and see no limits.

Richard has captured what that means superbly and how this can be actioned and achieved to make the complex simple and let the results look after themselves.  Read Simplify for your performance advantage in sport, business and life!"

“Having spent 27 years in Olympic level sport and knowing first-hand how complex this environment is, I read with much interest. Simplify is a fantastic reference book, both enthralling and insightful. It really brings high value for those aspiring for higher performance.

Richard has skills, experience and this human dimension that makes him unique in our industry.  He has deeply simplified the complexity of high performance matters to uncover the core principles we can use in our work as leaders and performers. His book is a must read for anyone aiming for higher performance through concrete elements and experiences. Richard lays out a map across nine key principles to help us simplify and understand the opportunities in front of us and lift the game!

Read this book for immediate value to your world, challenges and objectives."

“Simplify is a crucial read for those working in High Performance and Leadership.  Richard has brilliantly captured so succinctly what it takes to achieve mastery at the highest level in both sport and life.  So many insightful take outs; a focus on improvement rather than winning, uncovering strengths rather than fixing weaknesses, finetuning the system through subtraction not addition and relentlessly reflecting.

Effective questions throughout the text help to frame concepts of individual and team competitive advantage. A stimulating read that provokes meaningful action along the pathway to exceptional performance."

“Such a timely book for the world following 18 months of disruption where many routines have had to adapt and overcome in a new environment.  This book breaks down performance in a simple way and provides tools to re-examine your performance principles and either design a new system or redesign an existing system. A must read for any high-performance players”

“I have had the good fortune of knowing Richard for close to 20 years. I always thought I was pretty good at keeping things simple and then I met Richard - it was pretty clear that I was the novice and Richard was the expert.

Richard, through his book, Simplify, has done it again. His insights have provided a guiding light on a couple of areas that have been puzzling us at the Padres. It has enabled us to sharpen our thinking, remove clutter and adapt our system to provide us with a greater chance of success.

Like me, if you are serious about taking your game to another level, then Simplify is a must read.”

“High Performance is often a misunderstood term. In my experience those that have the ability to Simplify its meaning and then adapt gives you the direction to focus on where you make the most effective and sustainable gains. Simplify assists you with this critical process.  Read Simplify to uncover your performance advantage!”

“Richard understands the keys to performance and shows us how the basics must be clear before any real high performance can be achieved.  Simplify is an incredible guide to performance leadership: leading your system and leading performance in you and others.

Simplify will help you build deep belief and confidence in your action.  Read Simplify to find your highest performing self.”