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COURAGE TO RETREAT: A Deliberate Act of Being, Doing and Having Paperback – 26 August 2024
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‘Courage to Retreat’ explores how we’ve become focused on constant action and chasing external validation. This endless chase gradually diminishes our sense of self and often sacrifices well-being, inner satisfaction and real connections.
Through storytelling, the book illustrates how various characters respond to life's pressures and societal expectations. Each chapter offers perspectives and resources to pause, reflect and reconnect with our essential selves.
“Courage to Retreat deals with a fundamentally important theme of our times: navigating the stresses and strains of our increasingly busy lives and the many externally imposed pressures to 'succeed'. The book holds the reader's attention through storytelling, drawing on how various characters respond to these pressures. It powerfully sets up the case for personal retreat and reflection to rediscover our true selves and place in the world.”
-Paddy Coyne, Former Vice President, Shell and Former Chair of IMD Executive Education Advisory Council
"This book is a life companion, offering the wisdom of many life coaches from around the world in one place. It sparks contemplation and self-discovery, inspires you to prioritize what truly matters, and holds genuine value in life.”
-Marieke Bulkmans, Head of HR, Airbus in the Netherlands
“This book is a must-read for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their professional life or struggling to maintain meaningful relationships amidst their ambitions.”
-Marc Kuipers, Group Compliance Officer, Aegon Ltd.
- Print length242 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication date26 August 2024
- Dimensions13.97 x 1.55 x 21.59 cm
- ISBN-13979-8894965673
Product details
- ASIN : B0DFGPK1GL
- Publisher : Staten House (26 August 2024)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 242 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8894965673
- Dimensions : 13.97 x 1.55 x 21.59 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 1,538,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 3,316 in Business Mentoring & Coaching
- 11,005 in Motivational Management & Leadership
- 19,842 in Business Leadership (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Virender is a storyteller, awareness builder, and thought partner on human potential. He illuminates hidden human potential and untapped resources.
His professional journey began in finance in 1990. However, a profound encounter with a life philosophy inspired him to take a two-year sabbatical to rediscover his purpose. This pivotal experience led him to significantly shift toward human development, a field where he could make a deeper impact. Over the years, Virender has worked across various countries and cultures, honing his expertise in leadership development and contributing to global organizations. His work has inspired and brought hope to many. By the end of 2022, he decided to culminate his corporate journey and expand the stage for his purpose.
Virender's approach to unlocking human potential blends behavioral science, leadership principles, social systems, philosophy, and spirituality. This holistic approach offers individuals and organizations a comprehensive path to growth and transformation, guiding them on inward and forward journeys.
Driven by the belief that business should be a force for good, aligning profit with purpose, Virender launched Conscious Lab. This initiative uniquely combines the essence of a foundation with the dynamism of a business, creating a powerful synergy for change.
His upcoming books are:
-Midlife Men
-Matching Values
-Paths to Purpose
-Conscious Choices
Customer reviews
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Top reviews from Australia
Top reviews from other countries
- Filip DimitrijevicReviewed in Germany on 14 March 2025
4.0 out of 5 stars A powerful wake-up call
Verified PurchaseI learned from this book that it's actually a wise move to take a step back rather than showing weakness. It all comes down to making space for what really counts rather than blindly rushing forward. The observations may appear simple, yet they have a deeper meaning.
- Marlies TimmermannReviewed in the Netherlands on 16 December 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership Culture: The Hidden Force Behind Organizational Success
Verified PurchaseThe truth about organizational culture often goes unnoticed, but it resonated deeply with me in Courage to Retreat. It’s not the broad concept of “organizational culture” that defines a company, but rather the leadership culture—shaped by the attitudes, decisions, and behaviors of those at the top. This book weaves a gripping storyline with research findings, urging leaders to reexamine how their actions create ripples throughout the organization.
The narrative struck a personal chord with me, especially as someone who has witnessed the damaging effects of toxic leadership. I found myself particularly moved by Lisa's story—after being forced to step back due to a destructive leader, she finds new purpose and energy under the guidance of a human-centric leader. This shift serves as a poignant reminder of how deeply leadership can influence not just a company’s trajectory, but the personal well-being of its people.
The reflection questions challenged me to reassess my own leadership style and beliefs. It’s not just a book to read—it’s a guide to self-exploration, especially for someone like me who holds a position of influence. It’s inspired me to create a culture that uplifts, empowers, and nurtures those around me, rather than diminishing them.
Marlies TimmermannLeadership Culture: The Hidden Force Behind Organizational Success
Reviewed in the Netherlands on 16 December 2024
The narrative struck a personal chord with me, especially as someone who has witnessed the damaging effects of toxic leadership. I found myself particularly moved by Lisa's story—after being forced to step back due to a destructive leader, she finds new purpose and energy under the guidance of a human-centric leader. This shift serves as a poignant reminder of how deeply leadership can influence not just a company’s trajectory, but the personal well-being of its people.
The reflection questions challenged me to reassess my own leadership style and beliefs. It’s not just a book to read—it’s a guide to self-exploration, especially for someone like me who holds a position of influence. It’s inspired me to create a culture that uplifts, empowers, and nurtures those around me, rather than diminishing them.
Images in this review
- MR LEIGH S ADAMSReviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very interesting insight into life and how it fits in with the corporate world.
Verified PurchaseI really enjoyed the story telling process in the book. Having been there myself I understand the balance required to keep yourself aligned to your values at home and work and to have to juggle all those balls at the same time.
It is often difficult to achieve and you normally lack in one area or another. The stories talk about the changes in Jacks behaviour and his adoption of his bosses attitude causing fiction with workers that once were full of trust. These things happen, it is hard to stray away from it and being the person in between the good news and the bad news is a hard place to be.
A good leader should protect their people but unfortunately someone has to also deliver and decide the bad news that everyone has to follow when companies are not performing or they need to do better.
So this story hits deep and makes you think about the choices you make, because get it wrong and it impacts your life in too many ways.
- Juan Pablo Olvera RamirezReviewed in Canada on 24 March 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Reconnecting with what truly matters
Verified PurchaseIn todays world that keeps pushing us to do more, Courage to Retreat encourages us to slow down and focus on what truly matters like our well-being, our relationships, and our inner satisfaction. It reminds us that success isn’t just about external achievements but also about feeling grounded and connected to ourselves.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, this book is great as it offers inspiration and the practical tools to reconnect with what really matters in this day and age our well being. This was a reminder, thank you!
- Pamela MeyerReviewed in the United States on 10 March 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring Book - Definitely Worth the Read!
Verified PurchaseAs someone who has always been on the go, striving for progress yet never quite arriving, this book was a breath of fresh air. It taught me that sometimes, the most courageous act is to pause, reflect, and reassess.
The author's approach to redefining success by emphasizing being over doing resonated deeply with me. It's not just about achieving more but understanding what truly matters. This book helped me identify the unnecessary clutter in both my professional and personal life. I was surprised at how liberating it felt to let go of things that I thought I couldn't live without.
What I appreciated most about this book is its practical guidance intertwined with philosophical insights. The exercises suggested were easy to implement yet profoundly impactful. For instance, the meditation practices helped me find a sense of inner peace I had never experienced before, making each day feel more intentional and fulfilling.
In a world that constantly demands more of us, Courage to Retreat is a gentle reminder that it's okay to step back. For those caught in the cycle of perpetual motion without direction, this book offers a transformative journey toward living a more deliberate and content life.