Now, take just one minute to sit back in your chair, close your eyes, and conjour up in your mind as clear an image as you can of your favourite place. Imagine yourself there, feel the sun, the breeze or the water. Hold the image for as long as you can, and then open your eyes. Better?

One of the things that strikes me frequently as I work with clients is their struggle to find time to themselves to recharge batteries and enjoy space to reflect. My friend and fellow coach Lindsay Wittenberg and I wondered what we could do to support people to find that headspace, and we've developed "The Magic of Connection", a 24-hour retreat for professional women. (Don't switch off, guys - who do you know who would love to hear about this?)

We've aimed to create a calm, soothing, homely 24 hours of uninterrupted "me" time, in which delegates can ponder the questions they don't normally have time to answer, and enjoy a wonderful country setting. Our next retreat is on 14 & 15 October at Burpham Country House Hotel in West Sussex. There are only 8 places, and it really is not to be missed.

The theme of confidence, and the loss of it, really does seem to strike a chord with so many people. I worry both that we seem unable to admit to it, hiding our discomfort like some embarrassing affliction, and that once someone temporarily loses confidence, so many people seem only too willing to write them off as permanent losers. Loss of confidence has many triggers, but it is a temporary set back and can be overcome very successfully. My book, "Getting Back on Track - ragaining your confidence and presence at work" draws on the experience of many real people, often in senior positions, to show what's possible. The book was published in April and is being formally launched on 19 June, when friends and colleagues will help me toast its future.

Normally I tend to avoid anything vaguely military. War is alien to me and I am only grateful not to have been caught up in the madness of it. Being born in the early 50s, the Second World War was a recent memory when I was growing up.

So you may wonder why I am so keen on a book about leadership in the US Navy. I can sum it up in one sentence: Abrashoff is a human being first and last, and understands at a very deep and authentic level what motivates people.

I could have stopped reading at the introduction, which praises his battleship and its combat capabilities. But something kept me going, and I wasn't disappointed. Once the main book begins, you're engaged from the first line, as Abrashoff muses on how he can avoid being disliked as much as his predecessor, and then sets about restoring morale among his crew by giving them increasing degrees of responsibility backed by a respect for their individual competencies and a willingness to stand up for them to his senior officers when necessary. Soon he is captain of "the best damn ship in the Navy".

A typical quote: "Unlike some leaders, I prefer to build myself up by strengthening others and helping them feel good about their jobs and themselves." Not someone to write off a team member who has lost confidence.

This really is a pretty good holiday read - full of wisdom and a great yarn to boot (or was that sail?)