Here is an extended, in-depth introduction to your leadership journey through the Musée Rodin, following Peter de Kuster’s Hero’s Journey story model with 12 archetypes. This introduction weaves together the context of leadership storytelling, the power of narrative in organizational life, the unique approach of Peter de Kuster, and the transformative potential of engaging with art and story in the heart of Paris. It draws on the provided sources and expands on the psychological, emotional, and creative dimensions of this journey, setting the stage for the deep exploration that follows.

Introduction: The Art and Power of the Leadership Journey

I. The Timeless Call to Story

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have gathered around fires, in temples, in city squares, and in boardrooms to share stories. Stories are how we make sense of the world, how we transmit wisdom, how we inspire action, and how we remember who we are. Every culture, every community, every organization is built on stories-stories of origin, of struggle, of triumph, of failure, and of hope. But perhaps the most powerful story of all is the one we tell ourselves about our own journey: the story of who we are, why we are here, and what we are called to do.

In times of uncertainty and change, when the old maps no longer serve and the future seems unclear, we instinctively turn to story for guidance. As Peter de Kuster, founder of The Hero’s Journey and The Heroine’s Journey projects, observes, “We fall back, in these crazy and chaotic times, on the command-and-control model of leadership-a model that no longer works. What we need instead are stories: stories that spark action, build trust, transmit vision, and help people work together to create the future”.

II. The Hero’s Journey: A Universal Map for Transformation

The Hero’s Journey, as articulated by Peter de Kuster, is a universal map for transformation. It is the archetypal story structure that underlies myths, legends, and great works of art across cultures and centuries. At its heart, the Hero’s Journey is a journey of change: leaving the familiar, facing trials and tests, receiving guidance, enduring ordeals, seizing the reward, and returning home transformed-with a gift to share.

This journey is not just for mythical heroes or literary protagonists. It is the journey of every leader, every creative professional, every individual who seeks to make a difference in the world. It is the journey of innovation, of entrepreneurship, of personal and organizational growth. And it is a journey that can be consciously chosen, shaped, and lived.

Peter de Kuster’s approach to the Hero’s Journey is both practical and profound. Drawing on decades of experience in storytelling, marketing, and leadership development, he offers a hands-on guide for unleashing the power of narrative in business and life. His work is grounded in the belief that “everyone can lead by using stories to effect change”-and that the right story at the right time can make an audience “stunningly vulnerable to a new idea”.

III. Why Storytelling Matters for Leaders

In a world of constant change, complexity, and ambiguity, leadership is less about command and control and more about meaning-making, vision, and connection. The most effective leaders are not just experts or authorities; they are storytellers-people who can articulate a compelling vision, build trust, foster collaboration, and inspire action through story.

Storytelling is one of the few ways to handle the most important and difficult challenges of leadership:

• Sparking action: Stories can ignite enthusiasm for change, helping people see what is possible and why it matters.
• Building trust: Stories communicate who you are, what you value, and why you can be trusted.
• Transmitting vision: Stories help people imagine the future, see their role in it, and commit to making it real.
• Fostering collaboration: Stories bring people together, helping them understand each other, work through conflict, and achieve shared goals.
• Overcoming resistance: Stories can neutralize naysayers, address fears, and create space for innovation.

As Peter de Kuster explains, “The Leader’s Story shows how successful leaders use stories to get their ideas across and spark enduring enthusiasm for change. It is a hands-on guide to unleash the power of the business narrative”.

IV. The Power of Archetypes: The 12 Stages of the Journey

The Hero’s Journey is structured around a series of archetypal stages, each representing a key moment in the process of change. These stages are not just steps in a plot; they are universal experiences, inner movements, and leadership challenges. In Peter de Kuster’s model, each stage is associated with a particular archetype-a pattern of behavior, motivation, and energy that can be activated and explored.

The 12 archetypes of the Hero’s Journey are:

1. The Innocent (Ordinary World)
2. The Seeker (Call to Adventure)
3. The Orphan (Refusal of the Call)
4. The Sage (Meeting the Mentor)
5. The Warrior (Crossing the Threshold)
6. The Everyman (Tests, Allies, and Enemies)
7. The Lover (Approach to the Inmost Cave)
8. The Destroyer (The Ordeal)
9. The Creator (Reward/Seizing the Sword)
10. The Ruler (The Road Back)
11. The Magician (Resurrection)
12. The Sage/Everyman (Return with the Elixir)

Each archetype represents a different way of being, a different set of strengths and challenges, and a different lesson to be learned. By engaging with these archetypes-through story, reflection, and creative practice-leaders can access new perspectives, unlock hidden potential, and navigate the complexities of change with greater confidence and wisdom.

V. The Musée Rodin: A Sanctuary for the Leadership Journey

Why the Musée Rodin? Why art? Why Paris?

The Musée Rodin, housed in the elegant Hôtel Biron and surrounded by lush gardens, is one of the world’s great sanctuaries of creativity. It is home to the masterpieces of Auguste Rodin (1840–1917), the sculptor who revolutionized modern art with his raw, expressive, and deeply human works. Rodin’s sculptures are not just objects of beauty; they are embodiments of struggle, longing, awakening, and transformation. They are stories in stone and bronze-stories of the human condition, of love and loss, of vision and vulnerability.

To walk through the Musée Rodin is to walk through the stages of the Hero’s Journey. Each sculpture is a portal to a different archetype, a different moment in the journey, a different lesson for leaders. By engaging with these works-not just as art, but as mirrors for your own story-you are invited to reflect, to question, to imagine, and to grow.

In the words of Peter de Kuster, “This journey is not just about art; it is about your life, your leadership, your story. You are the storyteller of your own life, and you can create your own legend-or not”.

VI. The Leadership Journey: What Awaits You

Below you’ll find a leadership journey through the Musée Rodin, following Peter de Kuster’s Hero’s Journey story model with 12 archetypes. For each stage, I’ve selected a masterpiece by Auguste Rodin, provided the artist’s name, and offered an explanation from the Hero’s Journey perspective-including questions and exercises to help leaders explore their own story.

What can you expect from this journey?

• A deep dive into the art and science of storytelling: Learn how to use narrative to handle the most important and difficult challenges of leadership: sparking action, building trust, fostering collaboration, and leading people into the future.
• A practical, hands-on approach: Engage with tried and tested tools to shape, structure, and optimize innovation within your projects and organization. Complete self-assessments and creative exercises that provide unique insights into your leadership strengths and opportunities for growth.
• A transformative experience: Move through the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey, exploring the archetypes that shape your leadership story. Reflect on your purpose, your values, your vision, and your legacy.
• A community of peers: Share your journey with others, learning from their stories and contributing your own. Build relationships, foster trust, and create a network of support and inspiration.
• A sanctuary for reflection and renewal: Immerse yourself in the beauty and power of Rodin’s art, using it as a catalyst for self-discovery, creativity, and transformation.

VII. The Role of Peter de Kuster: Guide, Storyteller, Innovator

Peter de Kuster is your guide on this journey. As the founder of The Hero’s Journey and The Heroine’s Journey projects, he has dedicated his life to helping creative professionals and leaders create careers and lives based on the stories most integral to their values, traits, skills, and experiences. His approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, honed over more than 20 years of working with clients on a wide range of creative business challenges.

Peter is the author of the acclaimed Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey book series, and holds MBAs in Marketing and Financial Economics, as well as degrees in Sociology and Communication Sciences. His work is grounded in the belief that “everyone can lead by using stories to effect change”-and that the right story at the right time can make an audience “stunningly vulnerable to a new idea”.

Peter’s leadership journeys are not lectures, but immersive experiences. They are designed to be interactive, reflective, and deeply personal. You will be challenged to learn-by-doing, to come up with new ideas and solutions, to reflect on your own story, and to apply what you learn in practice.

VIII. The Structure of the Journey: From Ordinary World to Return with the Elixir

The journey is structured around the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey, each illustrated by a masterpiece from Rodin’s oeuvre. For each stage, you will find:

• A selected artwork: A masterpiece by Auguste Rodin, chosen to embody the archetype and stage of the journey.
• An in-depth exploration of the artwork from the Hero’s Journey perspective, connecting art, story, and leadership.
• Reflective questions: Prompts to help you explore your own leadership story, challenges, and opportunities.
• Creative exercises: Activities to deepen your self-awareness, foster innovation, and translate insight into action.

This structure is designed to guide you through the journey of transformation-from the comfort of the ordinary world, through the trials and tests of the unknown, to the return home with new wisdom, vision, and power.

IX. The Promise of Transformation: What You Will Gain

By engaging with this journey, you will:

• Discover your leadership story: Gain clarity about your purpose, values, and vision. Understand the archetypes that shape your behavior and choices.
• Unlock your creative potential: Learn how to use storytelling to spark innovation, foster collaboration, and overcome resistance.
• Build trust and connection: Develop the skills to communicate authentically, build relationships, and inspire others.
• Navigate change with confidence: Gain tools and frameworks for leading through uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.
• Create a legacy: Articulate the impact you want to have, the story you want to tell, and the difference you want to make.

As Peter de Kuster writes, “The journey is not just about art or leadership-it’s about choosing to live heroically, to embrace change, and to create your own legend. The story you tell yourself shapes your reality. Will you choose to be the hero or heroine of your own journey?”

X. The Power of Art: Why Rodin, Why Now

Art has the power to move us, to challenge us, to awaken us to new possibilities. Rodin’s sculptures are not just objects of beauty; they are invitations to reflect, to question, to imagine, and to grow. In the Musée Rodin, surrounded by the masterpieces of a creative genius, you are invited to step out of your routine, to see yourself and your story with new eyes, and to reconnect with what matters most.

As you move through the 12 stages of the journey, let the art be your mirror, your guide, your inspiration. Let it challenge your assumptions, awaken your creativity, and open your heart to new ways of being and leading.

XI. The Invitation: Your Story Awaits

This journey is an invitation-to reflection, to creativity, to transformation. It is an opportunity to step into your own story, to become the leader you were meant to be, and to create a legacy that endures.

Below you’ll find a leadership journey through the Musée Rodin, following Peter de Kuster’s Hero’s Journey story model with 12 archetypes. For each stage, I’ve selected a masterpiece by Auguste Rodin, provided the artist’s name, and offered a 500-word explanation from the Hero’s Journey perspective-including questions and exercises to help leaders explore their own story.

Are you ready to begin? The journey awaits. Your story is yours to tell.

The Leadership Journey in Musée Rodin: 12 Archetypes, 12 Masterpieces

The Ordinary World – “The Age of Bronze”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: The Hero’s Journey Begins at Home

Every great journey starts in the ordinary world-a place of comfort, familiarity, and routine. In Hero’s Journey, this is the stage where the protagonist’s life is in balance, but often tinged with a sense of restlessness or incompleteness. It is the world you know: your daily habits, your relationships, your leadership style, and the status quo of your organization or community. The ordinary world is not just a backdrop; it is the soil from which the seeds of adventure and transformation will grow

Auguste Rodin’s The Age of Bronze stands as a powerful metaphor for this stage. Completed in 1876 and exhibited to scandal and acclaim in 1877, this life-sized sculpture of a young man is suspended between rest and awakening, between innocence and experience, between the world as it is and the world as it could be. To stand before The Age of Bronze is to stand on the threshold of your own story-aware of what is, and what might be.

The Sculpture: Awakening in Bronze

Rodin’s The Age of Bronze was revolutionary for its time. Unlike the heroic, idealized figures of classical and academic art, Rodin’s young man is startlingly real. Fashioned after the 22-year-old Belgian soldier Auguste Neyt, the figure’s body is rendered with meticulous naturalism: every muscle, vein, and contour is observed from life. The right leg is bent in a classical contrapposto pose, echoing ancient Greek sculpture, but the overall effect is ambiguous-neither fully at rest nor fully in motion.

The figure’s eyes are closed, his mouth slightly open. His right hand rests on his head, while the left is raised, as if he is waking from a deep sleep or perhaps shielding himself from something unseen. Originally, the left hand held a spear, but Rodin removed it, stripping the work of any clear narrative or historical reference. Instead, he left us with a universal image: a human being at the moment of awakening, caught between the past and the future, between innocence and knowledge.

The title itself is layered with meaning. The Age of Bronze refers to a pivotal era in human history, when our ancestors first learned to forge tools and weapons from bronze, marking the dawn of civilization and human ingenuity. Yet, the original titles-The Vanquished, The Wounded Soldier, The Awakening Man-hint at vulnerability, struggle, and the possibility of renewal. Rodin himself encouraged multiple interpretations, saying, “There are at least four figures in it”.

The Ordinary World: A Place of Comfort and Constraint

In the context of the Hero’s Journey, the ordinary world is a place of both comfort and constraint. It is the realm of the “innocent” archetype, where we feel safe, competent, and in control. But it is also a world bounded by routines, assumptions, and unexamined beliefs. For leaders, this might be the familiar rhythms of your team, the culture of your organization, or the habits that define your personal and professional life.

Rodin’s sculpture captures this tension perfectly. The young man is at ease, yet there is a subtle dynamism in his pose-a sense that he is on the verge of movement, of awakening to something new. The contrapposto stance, borrowed from ancient art, suggests both balance and potential energy. The hands, framing the head, draw our attention to the center of thought and feeling, hinting at an internal struggle or realization.

This is the essence of the ordinary world: a place where you know the rules, but where you may also feel a quiet longing for something more. As John Sadowsky notes, “The hero is comfortable in the ‘ordinary world’, but at the same time uneasy, as if he does not completely ‘fit’ there in some way. His world is familiar and easy, but something is missing in the hero’s life, whether or not he can define it”.

The Scandal of Realism: Disrupting the Ordinary

When Rodin first exhibited The Age of Bronze, it caused a sensation. Critics accused him of cheating-of casting the figure directly from the model, so lifelike was the result. What they failed to see was that Rodin was challenging the very conventions of art and storytelling. By rejecting mythological or historical references, he invited viewers to see themselves in the figure-to recognize their own moment of awakening, their own ordinary world.

For leaders, this is a crucial insight. The ordinary world is not static; it is always on the edge of change. The very act of seeing yourself clearly-of recognizing your strengths, your routines, your blind spots-is itself a radical act. It is the first step toward transformation, but it is also a moment fraught with uncertainty and vulnerability.

Rodin’s decision to remove the spear and leave the figure ambiguous is a gift to us. It allows each viewer to project their own story onto the sculpture. Is the young man awakening to joy or to suffering? Is he vanquished or victorious? Is he about to rise, or has he just fallen? The ordinary world is full of such questions, and it is in asking them that the journey begins.

The Leader as Hero: Recognizing Your Ordinary World

In leadership, the ordinary world is the context in which you operate every day. It is the sum of your habits, your relationships, your organizational culture, and your personal story. It is where you feel most at home-and where you may also feel most constrained.

The Hero’s Journey teaches us that every leader is first a hero in their own life. Your ordinary world is not just a stage; it is the foundation of your character and your quest. It is where you learn the values, skills, and beliefs that will shape your adventure. But it is also where you encounter the limits of your current story-the places where you feel stuck, restless, or unfulfilled.

Rodin’s The Age of Bronze invites you to pause and reflect on your own awakening. The figure’s closed eyes and half-open mouth suggest a moment of introspection, of listening to the quiet voice within that calls you to something greater. The ambiguity of the pose mirrors the ambiguity of your own journey: you may not know exactly what lies ahead, but you sense that change is coming.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• What is your ordinary world as a leader?
  Describe the routines, relationships, and environments that define your daily life. Where do you feel most comfortable? Where do you feel most constrained?
• What strengths do you bring to your current context?
  List the skills, values, and experiences that have served you well so far. How have they shaped your leadership?
• Where do you sense restlessness or longing?
  Is there an area of your life or work where you feel called to something more? What is missing, even if you cannot yet name it?
• What are the unexamined assumptions or habits that define your ordinary world?
  Are there beliefs or routines that you take for granted? How might they be limiting your growth?

Exercise: Mapping Your Ordinary World

1. Draw a map of your ordinary world.
   On a blank sheet of paper, sketch the key elements of your daily life: your work, your relationships, your routines, your sources of comfort and stress. Label each area with a word or phrase that captures its significance.
2. Identify the boundaries.
   Mark the edges of your map-the places where your comfort zone ends and the unknown begins. Where do you feel resistance to change? Where do you sense opportunity?
3. Reflect on your awakening.
   Like the figure in The Age of Bronze, consider what it would mean to awaken in your own life. What would you need to see, feel, or understand in order to move forward?
4. Write a journal entry from the perspective of the figure in the sculpture.
   Imagine you are standing at the threshold of awakening. What are you thinking? What are you feeling? What do you hope for, and what do you fear?

The Universal Moment: The Ordinary World in All Our Stories

Rodin’s The Age of Bronze is not just a work of art; it is a mirror for our own experience. The ordinary world is universal-every leader, every hero, every human being begins here. It is the place where we learn, grow, and prepare for the unknown. It is also the place we must leave behind if we are to answer the call to adventure.

The ambiguity of the sculpture is its genius. By refusing to tell us exactly what the figure is experiencing, Rodin invites us to find our own meaning. Is this the moment before action, or after defeat? Is it the end of one story, or the beginning of another? The answer, of course, is both. The ordinary world is always both an ending and a beginning-a place of comfort, and a place of longing.

Conclusion: The Ordinary World as the Seed of Transformation

As you stand before The Age of Bronze, take a moment to honor your own ordinary world. Recognize the strengths and comforts that have brought you this far. Acknowledge the routines and assumptions that keep you safe, but also the restlessness that calls you to something more.

The Hero’s Journey teaches us that transformation begins not with a leap, but with an awakening-a moment of seeing ourselves clearly, of listening to the quiet voice within, of recognizing that the world as it is does not have to be the world as it will be. Rodin’s sculpture captures this moment with unparalleled power: a young man, caught between sleep and waking, between innocence and experience, between the past and the future.

As a leader, your ordinary world is the foundation of your story. It is where you prepare for the journey ahead, where you gather your strengths and confront your limitations. It is the place you must leave, but also the place you will one day return to, transformed.

The journey begins here-with an awakening, a question, a longing for something more. The Age of Bronze is your invitation to step into your own story, to become the hero of your own life, and to create a new legend for yourself and those you lead.

2. The Call to Adventure – “The Thinker”

Introduction: The Disruption of the Ordinary

In every leader’s life, there comes a moment when the familiar world-the comfort of routine, the safety of established roles-begins to feel too small. This is the “call to adventure,” the second stage in the Hero’s Journey. It is the moment when you sense there is more to your story, when a challenge, a crisis, or a deep longing disrupts the ordinary and beckons you toward growth.

Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker is the embodiment of this moment. Originally conceived as Dante, the poet contemplating the fates of souls in The Divine Comedy and the torments depicted in The Gates of Hell, The Thinker has transcended its origins to become a universal symbol of contemplation, decision, and the search for meaning. It is the image of a human being on the threshold of transformation, wrestling with the questions that define not only their destiny but the very nature of existence.

The Sculpture: Anatomy of a Question

The Thinker is a monumental bronze figure, heroic in size and presence. Seated on a rock, the nude male form leans forward, right elbow on left thigh, chin resting on his hand in a gesture of profound thought. Every muscle is tensed, every sinew alive with energy, yet the figure is utterly still-a paradox of physical power and mental absorption.

Rodin’s choice to depict the act of thinking as muscular, even athletic, was revolutionary. As the Philadelphia Museum of Art notes, “By choosing to depict The Thinker as a strong, athletic figure, Rodin conveyed that the act of thinking is a powerful exercise”. The body is not relaxed but coiled, as if the very act of contemplation is a struggle, a battle between the known and the unknown.

Originally, this figure was meant to be Dante, observing the circles of Hell from above the Gates. But as Rodin’s vision evolved, The Thinker became less a portrait of a specific poet and more an archetype-a stand-in for every artist, philosopher, scientist, and leader who has ever dared to question, to imagine, to create.

The Seeker’s Awakening: The Call in Leadership

For leaders, the call to adventure is rarely clear-cut. It may come as a whisper-a nagging sense that something is missing, a quiet dissatisfaction with the status quo. Or it may arrive as a shout-a new project, a sudden crisis, a personal or organizational upheaval. What unites these experiences is the awakening of the “seeker” archetype: the part of you that yearns for growth, that is willing to question assumptions and imagine a different future.

Standing before The Thinker, you are invited into this moment of awakening. The sculpture’s intense focus, the tension in its muscles, the furrowed brow and compressed lips-all speak to the inner struggle of the seeker. This is not idle daydreaming; it is the hard, sometimes painful work of confronting reality and daring to ask, “What if?”

Rodin’s own artistic journey mirrors this stage. Rejected by the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, Rodin developed a freer, more emotional style that would become his signature6. The Thinker is a product of this spirit-unbound by tradition, open to new possibilities.

The Universal Struggle: Contemplation as Courage

The Thinker is universally recognized as a symbol of philosophy, introspection, and the uniquely human capacity for self-examination. But it is also a symbol of struggle. The figure’s posture is not one of ease but of wrestling-with ideas, with doubts, with the weight of responsibility.

In leadership, this struggle is familiar. The call to adventure is not just about action; it is about questioning your own beliefs, your organization’s culture, your industry’s norms. It is about facing the discomfort that comes with growth-the fear of failure, the risk of change, the uncertainty of the unknown.

The Thinker’s gaze is directed downward, as if looking into the abyss of possibility and consequence. His body is drawn inward, coiled around the question at hand. This is the moment when you, as a leader, must decide: Will you heed the call? Will you step into the unknown, or retreat into the safety of the ordinary world?

The Evolution of Meaning: From Dante to Everyman

When The Thinker was first exhibited, it was named The Poet, and closely associated with Dante. But over time, as Rodin enlarged and exhibited the sculpture independently, it became clear that its meaning was far broader. The figure became a stand-in for all who think deeply-for artists, writers, scientists, and ordinary people alike.

This evolution mirrors the journey of every leader. The call to adventure may begin with a specific challenge-a new market, a disruptive technology, a personal crossroads-but it quickly becomes a universal question: What am I meant to do? What legacy will I leave? How will I respond to the needs of my time?

Rodin himself identified deeply with The Thinker. A version of the sculpture overlooks his own tomb, a testament to the centrality of contemplation and courage in his life and work. For leaders, this is a reminder that the call to adventure is not a one-time event, but a recurring invitation to grow, to question, to create.

The Emotional Landscape: Wrestling with Doubt

The physical intensity of The Thinker reflects the emotional intensity of this stage. The act of thinking is not passive; it is an active engagement with possibility and risk. The figure’s clenched fist, gripping toes, and furrowed brow all suggest the pain and difficulty of true contemplation.

For leaders, this is often a time of doubt and anxiety. The questions that arise may be uncomfortable, even frightening. What if I fail? What if I am not enough? What if the world I know is changing faster than I can adapt?

Yet, as Rodin’s sculpture reminds us, these emotions are not signs of weakness, but of courage. To think deeply, to question honestly, is to open yourself to transformation. It is to stand at the threshold of the unknown, willing to risk comfort for the sake of growth.

The Thinker as a Leadership Archetype

In the Hero’s Journey, the call to adventure is the moment when the protagonist’s ordinary world is disrupted and a new path beckons. In leadership, this is the moment when you realize that what has brought you here will not take you further. The “seeker” archetype awakens, and you begin to look beyond the familiar for new answers.

The Thinker is the perfect embodiment of this archetype. The sculpture’s heroic size and muscular form suggest that thinking-true, creative, courageous thinking-is itself a heroic act. It requires strength, discipline, and the willingness to face discomfort.

As you contemplate The Thinker, ask yourself: What is calling me to grow? Where do I feel a sense of longing or dissatisfaction? What question keeps returning to my mind, demanding attention?

The Leadership Questions: Embracing the Call

• What is calling you to change or grow in your leadership?
  Is it a new opportunity, a challenge, a crisis, or a quiet longing for something more?
• Where do you feel a sense of longing or dissatisfaction?
  Are there areas of your work or life where you feel restless, unfulfilled, or out of alignment with your values?
• What question keeps returning to your mind?
  Is there a persistent thought or concern that you have been avoiding? What would it mean to confront it honestly?

Exercise: Sitting with the Question

1. Write down the question that most often occupies your thoughts about your leadership journey.
   It might be: “Am I making a difference?” “Is this the right path?” “What is my true purpose?”
2. Sit with it in silence for a few minutes.
   Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and allow the question to fill your awareness. Notice any emotions that arise-fear, excitement, confusion, hope.
3. Reflect on what you discover.
   Write about the feelings, memories, or ideas that come up. What is your heart telling you? What is your mind resisting?

The Power of Imagination: Creating the Future

Rodin believed that thinking was not just about analysis, but about imagination-the ability to envision new possibilities, to create worlds that do not yet exist. The Thinker is not only contemplating the present, but dreaming of the future.

For leaders, this is a crucial insight. The call to adventure is not just a summons to action, but an invitation to imagine what could be. It is the moment when you dare to see beyond the limits of your current reality, to envision a new story for yourself, your team, your organization.

The act of thinking, as Rodin presents it, is generative. It is the source of innovation, creativity, and transformation. To heed the call to adventure is to become a creator of the future, not just a manager of the present.

The Thinker in Context: A Global Icon

Today, The Thinker is one of the most recognized sculptures in the world, with versions in museums and public spaces across the globe. Its image is used to symbolize philosophy, creativity, and the power of the human mind.

But its true power lies in its invitation to each of us: to pause, to question, to imagine. In a world that often values speed and action above all, The Thinker reminds us that the most important journeys begin with a question, a moment of stillness, a willingness to listen to the call within.

Conclusion: Answering the Call

The call to adventure is the beginning of every great story-yours included. It is the moment when you awaken to the possibility of more, when you dare to question the world as it is and imagine the world as it could be.

Rodin’s The Thinker stands as a monument to this moment-a reminder that true leadership begins not with answers, but with questions. To be a leader is to be a seeker, to sit with uncertainty, to wrestle with doubt, and to dream of what might be.

As you stand before The Thinker, let yourself feel the weight of your own questions. Honor the courage it takes to think deeply, to imagine boldly, to answer the call to adventure. The journey ahead will not be easy, but it will be yours-and it begins with a single, powerful question.

3. Refusal of the Call – “The Gates of Hell”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: Standing Before the Threshold

In every great story, after the hero receives the call to adventure, there comes a moment of hesitation. The world as it was-safe, familiar, and predictable-now stands in contrast to the unknown that beckons. This is the stage of Refusal of the Call, a universal moment of fear, doubt, and resistance. In the Hero’s Journey, this is where the protagonist wavers, questioning whether the risks of change are worth the potential rewards. For leaders, it is the crossroads where vision collides with vulnerability, and where the first true test of character emerges: Will you step forward, or will you turn away?

No artwork captures the agony and complexity of this moment quite like Auguste Rodin’s monumental masterpiece, The Gates of Hell. Conceived in 1880 and worked on for nearly four decades, this six-meter-high bronze portal teems with over 180 writhing figures, each locked in their own struggle, each a fragment of torment, longing, or lost hope. Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, Rodin’s vision ultimately transcended its literary source, becoming a universal meditation on human suffering, resistance, and the possibility of transformation.

The Artwork: Chaos, Resistance, and the Human Condition

The Gates of Hell was originally commissioned as the entrance to a Decorative Arts Museum in Paris-a museum that was never built. Yet Rodin’s commitment to the project never wavered. For 37 years, he added, removed, and reimagined the figures on the doors, using the commission as a laboratory for his most radical ideas. Many of his most famous sculptures-The Thinker, The Kiss, The Three Shades-began as details within these gates before being cast as independent works.

Standing before The Gates of Hell, one is overwhelmed by the sheer density of human emotion. The figures are not neatly arranged or compartmentalized, as in the doors of Ghiberti’s Renaissance Gates of Paradise (which inspired Rodin’s early sketches). Instead, they tumble, twist, and writhe in a chaotic, almost gravitationally unbound space. There is no clear narrative, no single story; rather, the gates present a tapestry of suffering, desire, and existential anguish.

Rodin’s technical innovation is evident everywhere. He abandoned the idealized forms of Greek and Baroque sculpture in favor of expressive distortion. Bodies are elongated, hands and feet exaggerated, faces contorted in agony or ecstasy. The surface ripples with the marks of Rodin’s own hands, as if the bronze itself is alive, still in the process of becoming. This is not a static monument, but a living, breathing vision of the human soul in crisis.

Dante’s Inferno and the Orphan Archetype

Rodin’s inspiration came from Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, the first part of The Divine Comedy. In Dante’s vision, Hell is a place of punishment, but also of profound psychological insight. Each circle of Hell represents a different form of human failing-lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, and so on-but also a different kind of suffering, a different kind of refusal to change.

For Rodin, the gates became a metaphor for the orphan archetype in the Hero’s Journey. The orphan is the part of us that feels abandoned, alone, and powerless in the face of overwhelming odds. In leadership, this is the moment when you feel isolated by your vision, unsure of your abilities, and tempted to retreat to the safety of the known. The figures on the gates are caught in this psychological “hell”-not because they are evil, but because they are unable or unwilling to move forward.

Rodin’s gates are peopled not just by Dante’s sinners, but by universal figures of humanity: lovers, mothers, children, the fallen, the yearning, the lost. The agony depicted is not just physical, but existential-the agony of indecision, of longing for change but fearing its consequences. The gates become a mirror for our own moments of refusal, our own struggles with fear and self-doubt.

The Psychological Hell of Indecision

What makes The Gates of Hell so powerful is not just its scale or technical brilliance, but its psychological depth. Rodin was a Symbolist at heart, seeking to penetrate the innermost essence of being3. The gates are not just a depiction of Dante’s Hell; they are a map of the human psyche at the moment of crisis.

For leaders, this stage is painfully familiar. After the excitement of the call to adventure, reality sets in. Doubts arise: Am I ready for this? What if I fail? What will others think? The risks seem overwhelming, the path unclear. The voices of caution-internal and external-grow louder: “You can’t do this.” “It’s too dangerous.” “Better to stay where you are.”

The figures on Rodin’s gates embody this paralysis. Some reach upward, yearning for escape; others collapse inward, consumed by despair. There is movement, but no progress-struggle without resolution. This is the psychological “hell” of indecision, where every option seems fraught with peril, and the cost of change appears too high.

Yet, as in all great art, there is more here than meets the eye. The very act of struggle is itself a form of resistance-a refusal to surrender entirely. The figures may be trapped, but they have not given up. Within the gates are the seeds of transformation, the possibility that suffering can lead to insight, and that the refusal of the call is itself a necessary stage on the path to growth.

Seeds of Transformation: Struggle as Preparation

Rodin’s genius was to recognize that resistance is not the end of the story, but a vital part of it. The refusal of the call is not a failure, but a stage of preparation. It is in wrestling with our doubts, fears, and limitations that we begin to clarify what truly matters to us. The agony of the figures on the gates is not just punishment; it is the crucible in which the self is tested and refined.

For leaders, this is a crucial lesson. The moments when you feel most alone, most uncertain, are often the moments when you are closest to breakthrough. The voices that tell you to stay safe, to avoid risk, are not your enemies-they are your teachers. They force you to examine your motives, to confront your fears, and to decide whether your vision is worth the cost.

Rodin’s own creative process mirrors this dynamic. He worked on the gates for nearly forty years, never satisfied, always revising, adding, subtracting, reimagining. The project became a metaphor for his own struggles with doubt, perfectionism, and the demands of his art. Yet out of this chaos came some of the most powerful sculptures of the modern era-proof that struggle, far from being an obstacle, is often the source of our greatest achievements.

The Gates as a Metaphor for Leadership

In the context of leadership, The Gates of Hell can be seen as the threshold between the world as it is and the world as it could be. To stand before the gates is to confront the full weight of your responsibilities, your fears, and your hopes. It is to acknowledge the cost of change, the pain of letting go, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The gates are not just an obstacle; they are an invitation. They ask: Are you willing to face your own hell-the doubts, the criticisms, the failures-so that you can move forward? Are you willing to risk comfort for the sake of growth? Are you willing to let go of the familiar, even if it means stepping into the unknown?

Rodin’s masterpiece reminds us that leadership is not about avoiding suffering, but about finding meaning in it. The figures on the gates are not passive victims; they are active participants in their own stories. Their agony is real, but so is their longing for something more. The gates become a symbol of the leader’s journey-a journey that begins not with certainty, but with the courage to face uncertainty.

Artistic Innovation: Breaking the Mold

Rodin’s approach to The Gates of Hell was as radical as its subject matter. He rejected the idealized, compartmentalized structure of earlier monumental doors, such as Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise. Instead, he created a swirling, organic composition where figures merge, separate, and reappear in different forms7. The boundaries between individual stories dissolve, creating a sense of collective struggle and shared humanity.

Rodin also broke with tradition in his technique. He preferred to model in clay or plaster, allowing for constant revision and experimentation. The tactile quality of the surfaces-the fingerprints, the rough edges, the visible seams-conveys a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity. The gates are not polished or finished; they are alive, in process, always becoming.

This artistic innovation mirrors the psychological journey of the leader. The refusal of the call is not a tidy, linear process; it is messy, chaotic, and full of contradictions. Progress is not measured by outward success, but by the willingness to stay engaged with the struggle, to keep asking questions, to keep moving forward even when the outcome is uncertain.

Universal Emotions: Suffering, Longing, and Hope

One of the most remarkable aspects of The Gates of Hell is its ability to evoke universal human emotions. The figures on the gates are not just sinners or victims; they are us. Their suffering is our suffering, their longing is our longing, their hope is our hope.

Rodin’s decision to remove specific narrative references from many of the figures allows viewers to project their own stories onto the gates. The agony of a mother losing her child, the despair of a betrayed lover, the yearning of a soul for redemption-all are present here, rendered with a rawness and honesty that transcends time and culture.

For leaders, this universality is both a comfort and a challenge. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, that the refusal of the call is a shared human experience. But it also challenges us to move beyond self-pity or resignation, to recognize that within our suffering lies the possibility of growth and transformation.

The Gates in Rodin’s Career: A Life’s Work

The Gates of Hell was never cast in bronze during Rodin’s lifetime. The original plaster model remained in his studio, a constant presence and a source of inspiration for other works. After his death, the first bronze casts were made, and today the gates can be seen in several locations around the world, including the Musée Rodin in Paris and the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia.

For Rodin, the gates were more than a commission; they were a lifelong obsession, a canvas on which he worked out his deepest fears, hopes, and artistic ambitions. The project’s unfinished nature is itself a testament to the ongoing nature of the human journey. There is always more to struggle with, more to learn, more to become.

The Hero’s Journey Perspective: Refusal as a Crucible

In the Hero’s Journey, the Refusal of the Call is not a sign of weakness, but a necessary crucible. It is the moment when the hero confronts the full cost of the journey ahead and must decide whether to proceed. The refusal may be brief or prolonged, conscious or unconscious, but it is always a test of resolve.

For leaders, this stage is where true commitment is forged. It is easy to say yes to adventure when it is only an idea; it is much harder when the risks become real. The refusal is the fire in which your motives, values, and vision are tested. Will you move forward, or will you turn back?

Rodin’s Gates of Hell offers a powerful metaphor for this process. The gates are both barrier and threshold, both prison and passage. To pass through them is to leave behind the safety of the known and to step into the chaos of creation. The agony of the figures is real, but so is their longing for release.

Questions for Reflection

• What fears hold you back from embracing change?
  List the specific anxieties, doubts, or risks that make you hesitate. Are they rooted in past experiences, in external pressures, or in your own self-image?
• Who or what tells you “you can’t”?
  Identify the voices-internal or external-that discourage you from moving forward. Are they protective, critical, or simply afraid?
• What is the cost of staying where you are?
  Consider not just the comfort of the status quo, but the opportunities lost, the growth foregone, the dreams deferred.

Exercise: Facing the Gates

1. List your top three fears about stepping into the unknown.
   Be honest and specific. Are you afraid of failure, of judgment, of losing control, of disappointing others?
2. For each fear, write a possible outcome if you faced it.
   What is the worst that could happen? What is the best? What is most likely?
3. What might you gain?
   Reflect on the potential rewards-personal growth, new opportunities, deeper relationships, greater impact.
4. Imagine yourself as one of the figures on the gates.
   What is your posture? Are you reaching upward, collapsing inward, yearning for escape? What would it take to move?

Conclusion: The Gates as Passage, Not Prison

Standing before The Gates of Hell, you are confronted with the full complexity of the refusal stage. The agony, the longing, the chaos-all are real, all are necessary. But the gates are not just a prison; they are a passage. To refuse the call is not to fail, but to prepare. It is to wrestle with your fears, to clarify your motives, to test your resolve.

Rodin’s masterpiece reminds us that the journey of transformation is not linear or easy. It is messy, painful, and full of uncertainty. But within the struggle lies the possibility of growth, and within the gates lies the promise of a new beginning.

As a leader, your refusal is not the end of your story. It is the crucible in which your true self is forged. The gates may seem insurmountable, but they are also the threshold to your greatest adventure.

4. Meeting the Mentor – “Monument to Balzac”

Introduction: The Mentor’s Arrival on the Path of the Hero

In the journey of transformation, after the initial call and the deep wrestling with doubt and resistance, comes a pivotal moment: the appearance of the mentor. In the Hero’s Journey, this is the stage where the protagonist receives guidance, wisdom, or a new perspective-often just when it is needed most. The mentor does not always provide answers, but they offer something deeper: the courage to continue, the tools to grow, and the reminder that the hero is not alone.

In the world of art, few sculptures embody the mentor archetype as powerfully as Auguste Rodin’s Monument to Balzac. This monumental work, completed after seven years of obsessive study and creative struggle, stands not only as a tribute to the great French novelist Honoré de Balzac but as a symbol of creative mastery, perseverance, and the mysterious alchemy of mentorship itself.

To stand before Rodin’s Balzac is to encounter the very essence of the mentor: enigmatic, formidable, and deeply human. The sculpture’s rough, unfinished surface and imposing presence challenge us to reconsider what mentorship means. Is it about perfection? Or is it about authenticity, courage, and the willingness to see-and evoke-the greatness in others?

The Commission and the Struggle: Rodin’s Own Heroic Quest

The story of the Monument to Balzac begins in 1891, when Rodin was commissioned by the Société des Gens de Lettres-a literary society founded by Balzac himself-to create a monument to the writer for the Palais Royal in Paris. Balzac was a towering figure in French literature, the author of La Comédie humaine, a sprawling collection of nearly a hundred stories and novels that captured the complexity of contemporary French life. The society wanted a public statue that would honor Balzac’s physical likeness and his literary achievement.

Rodin, however, had a different vision. He became obsessed with capturing not just the outward appearance of Balzac, but his creative spirit, his inner fire, and his mythic presence. For seven years, Rodin immersed himself in Balzac’s world: he read everything written about the author, gathered every known image, and traveled to Balzac’s native Touraine to absorb the landscape that had shaped him. He even commissioned Balzac’s former tailor to recreate the writer’s famous monk’s robe, which Balzac wore during his late-night writing marathons.

Rodin’s process was anything but straightforward. He produced more than fifty studies, ranging from nude, muscular figures in the stance of a wrestler to heavily cloaked, almost abstract forms. He experimented with exaggerated features-a bullish neck, a lion-like mane, a sensual mouth, and fiery eyes. He sketched, modeled, and revised endlessly, searching not for a physical likeness but for a psychological truth that would capture the essence of Balzac’s genius.

This obsessive quest mirrors the journey of every hero who seeks a mentor. The mentor is not always easy to find, and their wisdom is rarely handed over without effort. Often, the mentor’s greatest gift is not a solution, but a challenge-a call to dig deeper, to question assumptions, and to discover one’s own strength.

The Mentor as Enigma: The Final Monument

When Rodin finally exhibited the plaster model of the monument at the Salon of 1898, it was met with ridicule and controversy. Critics called it a “snowman,” a “seal,” a “block of salt caught in a shower,” and a “crude sketch” in which they did not recognize Balzac. The commissioners rejected it, and Rodin, wounded by the criticism, withdrew the monument from public view for the rest of his life.

It was not until 1939, more than two decades after Rodin’s death, that the plaster was finally cast in bronze and installed in Paris at the intersection of Boulevards Montparnasse and Raspail. By then, the art world had caught up with Rodin’s vision, and the monument was hailed as a revolutionary work-perhaps the first truly modern sculpture.

What makes the Monument to Balzac so powerful, and so challenging, is its refusal to offer easy answers. Balzac is not depicted in a familiar pose, with pen or book in hand. Instead, he is transformed into a dense, formidable monolith, his body enveloped in a shapeless, oversized dressing gown. His gaze is fixed toward the horizon, his presence both grounded and transcendent. The sculpture is less a portrait than an evocation-a powerful symbol of creative mastery, perseverance, and the mystery at the heart of mentorship.

The Mentor’s Essence: Authenticity Over Perfection

Rodin’s approach to the Balzac monument broke entirely with the sculptural traditions of the past. Instead of presenting an idealized, polished image, Rodin embraced roughness, ambiguity, and expressive force. The surface of the sculpture is deliberately unfinished, alive with the marks of the artist’s hand. The robe is more like a shroud or a cocoon, hiding as much as it reveals. The face is not a photographic likeness, but an amalgam of features, distilled and exaggerated to capture Balzac’s inner vitality.

This radical departure from convention was not just an artistic choice; it was a philosophical statement. Rodin believed that true greatness could not be captured by superficial accuracy. As he explained, “A man celebrated for his heart and mind should not be [represented by] his body”. Instead, he sought to evoke the spirit, the creative force, the intangible qualities that make a person a mentor, a guide, a legend.

For leaders, this is a profound lesson. The mentor is not the one who has all the answers or who embodies perfection. The mentor is the one who is authentic, who has struggled, who is willing to share their journey-their failures as well as their triumphs. The mentor’s power lies not in their invulnerability, but in their humanity.

The Mentor’s Role: Encouragement, Challenge, and Reflection

In the Hero’s Journey, the mentor appears at a crucial moment-often just as the hero is wavering, unsure, or afraid. The mentor offers wisdom, encouragement, or a new perspective. Sometimes the mentor is a person: a teacher, a coach, a friend, or a parent. Sometimes the mentor is a book, a work of art, or even an inner voice that reminds us of our own strength.

Rodin’s Balzac stands as a symbol of this role. His presence is both grounding and inspiring. He does not offer easy comfort; instead, he challenges us to see ourselves more clearly, to embrace our own creative power, and to persevere in the face of criticism or failure.

The rough, unfinished surface of the sculpture is a reminder that mentorship is not about handing down polished truths. It is about sharing the ongoing process of becoming, about modeling the courage to be imperfect, to risk rejection, and to keep growing. The mentor’s greatest gift is not a map, but a mirror-a way of seeing ourselves and our journey with new eyes.

The Mentor’s Challenge: Facing Criticism and Rejection

The story of the Balzac monument is also a story of resilience in the face of criticism and rejection. Rodin poured his heart and soul into the project, only to have it dismissed by the very people who had commissioned it. The pain of this rejection was profound, and for a time, Rodin withdrew from public life.

Yet, in the long run, the monument’s vindication speaks to the enduring power of authentic vision. The mentor is not always recognized or appreciated in their own time. Their wisdom may be misunderstood, their methods questioned, their presence resisted. But the true mentor persists-not for the sake of approval, but for the sake of truth.

For leaders, this is a crucial lesson. The mentors who shape us are often those who challenge us, who refuse to let us settle for easy answers, who push us to grow beyond our comfort zones. Their guidance may not always be welcome, but it is always valuable.

The Mentor Within: Seeking Guidance in Unexpected Places

Not every mentor is a person. Sometimes, the mentor appears as an experience, a work of art, a moment of insight, or an inner voice that calls us to greater authenticity. Rodin’s Balzac, with its enigmatic presence and refusal to conform, invites us to seek mentorship in unexpected places.

For leaders, this means being open to guidance from all sources. It means reading widely, listening deeply, and being willing to learn from failure as well as success. It means recognizing that the mentor’s role is not to provide a script, but to awaken the hero’s own capacity for growth and transformation.

The mentor may offer comfort, but more often, they offer challenge. They remind us that the journey is not about avoiding difficulty, but about embracing it as the crucible in which character is forged.

The Mentor’s Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations

Today, Rodin’s Balzac is recognized as one of the greatest sculptures of the nineteenth century-perhaps, as Kenneth Clark suggested, “the greatest piece of sculpture of the nineteenth century-perhaps, indeed, since Michelangelo”. Its influence can be seen in the work of countless artists, writers, and thinkers who followed.

But its true legacy lies in its power to inspire. The monument stands as a beacon for all who seek to create, to lead, to mentor. It reminds us that greatness is not about conformity, but about the courage to be oneself, to follow one’s own vision, and to help others do the same.

For leaders, the mentor’s legacy is measured not in accolades or monuments, but in the lives they touch, the wisdom they share, and the courage they inspire in others.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• Who has been a mentor in your life?
  Think of the people, books, or experiences that have shaped your journey. What qualities made them mentors for you?
• What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from them?
  Reflect on the wisdom, encouragement, or challenge they offered. How did it change you?
• How do you seek out guidance when you need it?
  Are you open to mentorship from unexpected sources? Do you cultivate relationships, seek feedback, and remain curious?

Exercise: Writing to Your Mentor

Write a letter to a mentor (real or imagined), expressing gratitude for their influence on your story. What advice would you seek from them now?

• Begin by thanking your mentor for their guidance, support, or inspiration.
• Describe a specific moment when their wisdom made a difference in your life.
• Share where you are on your journey now-your challenges, hopes, and fears.
• Ask for the advice or encouragement you need at this stage.
• Close by reflecting on how you can be a mentor to others.

The Mentor’s Paradox: Strength in Vulnerability

Rodin’s Balzac is both powerful and vulnerable. The massive form, the exaggerated features, the enveloping robe-all suggest strength, but also a kind of exposure. The robe is both armor and shroud, concealing and revealing at the same time.

This paradox is at the heart of mentorship. The mentor is not the invulnerable hero, but the one who has faced their own struggles and is willing to share them. The mentor’s strength lies in their willingness to be seen-not as perfect, but as real.

For leaders, embracing this paradox means being willing to share your own journey, to admit your mistakes, and to model the courage to keep growing. It means recognizing that your greatest influence may come not from your achievements, but from your authenticity.

The Mentor’s Gaze: Looking to the Horizon

One of the most striking features of Rodin’s Balzac is his gaze. The figure leans back, eyes fixed toward the horizon, as if contemplating a distant future or an unseen possibility. This gaze is both introspective and visionary-a reminder that the mentor’s role is not just to guide, but to inspire.

For leaders, the mentor’s gaze is an invitation to look beyond the immediate challenges, to imagine what might be possible, and to encourage others to do the same. The mentor does not dictate the path, but points to the horizon, reminding the hero that the journey is ongoing, and that the greatest adventures are yet to come.

The Mentor’s Gift: Empowerment and Transformation

Ultimately, the mentor’s greatest gift is empowerment. The mentor does not walk the path for the hero, but helps them find the courage, wisdom, and resilience to walk it themselves. The mentor’s presence is a catalyst for transformation-a reminder that the hero is capable of more than they imagined.

Rodin’s Balzac, with its monumental presence and enigmatic power, stands as a symbol of this gift. It challenges us to see ourselves not as finished products, but as works in progress-always becoming, always growing, always reaching for something greater.

For leaders, the mentor’s gift is the ability to see-and to help others see-the potential within. It is the willingness to invest in others, to share wisdom, to offer encouragement, and to model the courage to keep moving forward.

Conclusion: Becoming the Mentor

As you stand before Rodin’s Monument to Balzac, take a moment to reflect on the mentors who have shaped your journey. Honor their wisdom, their courage, and their willingness to share their struggles as well as their successes.

But do not stop there. The true legacy of the mentor is not just in the guidance they offer, but in the inspiration they provide for others to become mentors themselves. As you continue on your journey, ask yourself: How can I be a mentor to others? How can I share my story, my struggles, and my wisdom in a way that empowers those around me?

The mentor’s path is not easy. It requires vulnerability, courage, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. But it is also the path of greatest impact-the path that transforms not only the hero, but the world.

Rodin’s Balzac, rough and unfinished, stands as a testament to the power of authenticity, the importance of perseverance, and the enduring mystery of mentorship. Let it remind you that you are not alone on your journey, and that the greatest adventures are those we undertake together.

5. Crossing the Threshold – “The Walking Man”

Introduction: The Leap into the Unknown

In every great story, there comes a moment when the hero must act. After the call to adventure, after wrestling with fear and doubt, after seeking the guidance of mentors, comes the moment of commitment. This is the stage called Crossing the Threshold-the point of no return, when the protagonist leaves the familiar world behind and steps into the unknown.

For leaders, this is the leap into a new project, role, or mindset. It is the decision to act, to risk, to grow. It is the moment you stop preparing and start doing, even if you do not feel fully ready. The journey ahead is uncertain, but the commitment is real.

Auguste Rodin’s The Walking Man (1907) is the embodiment of this moment. A dynamic, unfinished figure striding forward, missing arms and a head, yet full of energy and purpose, The Walking Man captures the essence of the “warrior” archetype: action, courage, and momentum. The sculpture’s radical incompleteness is not a flaw, but a statement-a declaration that the journey is not about having all the answers, but about moving forward despite uncertainty.

The Sculpture: Fragmentation and Power

The Walking Man is one of Rodin’s most celebrated and radical works. It began its life as a series of studies for an earlier sculpture, Saint John the Baptist Preaching (1878), which itself was a breakthrough in Rodin’s career. Rodin made separate plaster studies of the figure’s components-legs, torso, arms, head-and much later, he returned to these fragments, grafting the torso from one project onto the legs of another.

The result is a figure that is both incomplete and utterly alive. The arms and head are missing, yet the body surges forward in a powerful stride. The hips and torso twist with energy, the legs are planted in a wide, triangular stance, the back foot turned to the side while the front foot points straight ahead. The surface is rough, jagged, and textured, alive with the marks of Rodin’s hand. Light and shadow play across the uneven skin, creating a sense of constant motion.

Critics at the time were baffled, even scandalized. How could a statue without a head or arms be considered finished? How could it depict a man, let alone a man walking? But Rodin was uninterested in conventional completeness. He was after something deeper: the essence of movement, the raw power of commitment, the moment when the body-and the spirit-surge into action.

The Warrior Archetype: Action and Courage

In the Hero’s Journey, crossing the threshold is the moment when the hero becomes a warrior. The time for contemplation is over; the time for action has begun. The warrior does not wait for certainty or perfection. The warrior acts, trusting that clarity will come through movement.

The Walking Man is the perfect embodiment of this archetype. The figure’s stride is purposeful, even if the destination is unclear. The missing head and arms suggest that the journey is not about having all the answers or being fully prepared. It is about moving forward, despite uncertainty.

For leaders, this is the leap into a new role, the launch of a bold initiative, the decision to speak up or step out. It is the moment you say yes to the adventure, even if you do not know where it will lead. The warrior archetype is not about aggression, but about commitment, discipline, and the willingness to face risk for the sake of growth.

The Radical Notion of Incompleteness

Rodin’s Walking Man introduced radical notions of sculptural truncation and assembly into the modern artistic canon. By combining a torso and a pair of legs from different projects, Rodin created a work that is neither organically functional nor physically whole. Yet, he considered it finished because it captured the essence of movement.

This radical incompleteness is a metaphor for every journey of transformation. When you cross the threshold, you are not a finished product. You are a work in progress, incomplete, uncertain, but moving forward. The journey itself will shape you, refine you, and reveal your true form.

Rodin was deeply influenced by the art of Classical antiquity, where many surviving sculptures are headless, armless, or otherwise fragmented. He amassed a collection of over 6,000 antiquities, including many fragments of marble sculpture, which he regarded as complete objects in themselves. In his own work, he introduced the idea of the headless, limbless torso as an object of art in its own right, much influencing his contemporaries and the generations that followed.

The Genesis of The Walking Man

The genesis of The Walking Man is a story of artistic evolution and risk-taking. Rodin started with his life-sized sculpture Saint John the Baptist Preaching, which was considered by many to be his first life-sized masterpiece. The figure of Saint John is the embodiment of determination, with his head held high and his feet securely planted into the earthen bronze; his body balanced with the right arm extended as a counterweight to the contrapposto turn of his hips. Rodin was clearly interested in representing movement in this statue and continued to explore ways to perfect his “walking man”.

Years later, Rodin rediscovered the clay torso, by then cracked and fissured like an ancient statue, in his studio. He cast it in bronze as an autonomous sculpture, powerfully expressive in its fragmentary form. Then, he mounted the torso atop the forked legs, the juncture of the two pieces representing the very fulcrum of the body in motion. Stripping away all anecdote and rhetoric, Rodin achieved an expression of pure movement-the powerful forward stride of a seeker, a striver, a prophet, a visionary.

Rodin first exhibited The Walking Man on a tall column at his 1900 retrospective at the Pavillon de l’Alma, and he selected the figure for prominent display at a banquet held in 1903 when he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur. The sculpture made a deep impression on younger artists, notably Henri Matisse, and paved the way for the modernist embrace of fragmentation, abstraction, and the unfinished.

The Power of Movement

One of the most striking features of The Walking Man is its sense of movement. Rodin sculpted a jagged, textured surface instead of the traditionally smooth, unblemished skin that was preferred in the classically-inspired statues of his time. This uneven “skin” enhances the curvature of the calf and abdominal muscles as they tense and twist in preparation for the implied next stride.

The rough surface texture creates a continuous line of movement for the viewer’s eyes to follow. Motion is constant as light and shadow play across the surface. Unlike a sculpture with a smooth surface, light that reflects off of the uneven surfaces highlights its imperfections. Divots become darker and high crests become brighter. As the viewer moves around the statue, the light and dark areas change, appearing to undulate like the swells of the ocean.

Rodin may not have created an overtly twisting and contorting figure, but the impression and implication of movement are very much present. He conveys motion and strength in a figure that is fragmented and seemingly unfinished. Does a statue need to include arms or a head in order for it to be declared complete? Do all limbs need to be present to depict movement? Rodin’s answer is no.

The Leap in Leadership: Embracing Uncertainty

For leaders, The Walking Man is a powerful metaphor for the moment of commitment. Crossing the threshold is rarely a tidy or complete process. You may feel unprepared, incomplete, or unsure of your direction. But the act of stepping forward is itself transformative.

The missing head and arms remind us that you do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. The journey will require you to improvise, adapt, and learn as you go. What matters is the willingness to act, to risk, to move. The stride of The Walking Man is a declaration: “I am going forward, even if I do not know exactly where I am going.”

This is the essence of leadership. The world is full of uncertainty, complexity, and change. Waiting for perfect clarity or complete readiness is a recipe for stagnation. The leader’s task is to move forward, to create momentum, to inspire others by example.

The Influence of Antiquity and Modernity

Rodin drew energy and inspiration from the art of Classical antiquity, absorbing and assimilating the models of ancient Greek and Roman art in his own work in innovative ways. He was particularly fascinated by the fragmentary statues of antiquity, which he saw not as broken, but as complete in their own right. This embrace of incompleteness was revolutionary, anticipating the impact of later artists such as Alberto Giacometti, whose own Walking Man would become an icon of modern art.

Rodin’s willingness to reuse old molds and rework his earlier ideas was also ahead of its time. Like a painter who reworks an old canvas, Rodin would continue to alter an existing form until it developed a new identity and a new narrative1. The Walking Man is the product of this process-a work that is both ancient and modern, rooted in tradition yet radically innovative.

The Walking Man as a Universal Symbol

The Walking Man is both a humble image of an ordinary man and a potent symbol of humanity7. The act of walking is universal-a symbol of progress, journey, and the passage of time. In Rodin’s hands, the walking man becomes a seeker, a striver, a visionary. The figure’s stride is not just a physical act, but a metaphor for the courage to move forward, to cross thresholds, to embrace the unknown.

For leaders, this universality is both a comfort and a challenge. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, that the journey into the unknown is a shared human experience. But it also challenges us to move beyond hesitation, to recognize that within our uncertainty lies the possibility of growth and transformation.

The Decision to Act: Threshold Moments in Leadership

Every leader faces threshold moments-times when a decision must be made, a risk taken, a new path chosen. These moments are rarely easy. They are often accompanied by fear, doubt, and resistance. But they are also the moments that define us, that shape our character, that set us on the path to greatness.

The Walking Man stands as a reminder that action is the antidote to paralysis. The figure’s stride is purposeful, decisive, and full of energy. The missing head and arms are not a handicap, but a liberation-a release from the need for certainty, a permission to act without knowing all the answers.

For leaders, the lesson is clear: Do not wait for perfect conditions. Do not wait until you feel complete or fully prepared. The journey will shape you, refine you, and reveal your true form. The act of moving forward is itself an act of creation.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• What first step can you take toward your new story?
  Identify a concrete action you can take to move forward, even if it feels small or uncertain.
• Where do you need to show courage in your leadership?
  Reflect on the areas where you are hesitating, holding back, or waiting for more information. What would it look like to act anyway?
• What is holding you back from moving forward?
  Name the fears, doubts, or obstacles that are keeping you from crossing the threshold. Are they real, or are they stories you are telling yourself?

Exercise: The Symbolic Step Forward

Take a symbolic step forward in the gallery. As you do, reflect on a recent decision where you crossed a threshold in your leadership. What did you learn?

• Stand before The Walking Man and take a single step forward. Feel the weight shift in your body, the sense of movement and commitment.
• Recall a recent moment when you made a decision to act, even if you did not feel fully prepared. What was the outcome? What did you learn about yourself?
• Write down your reflections. How can you apply this lesson to your current challenges?

The Walking Man and the Modern Imagination

The Walking Man has had a profound influence on the modern imagination. Its radical incompleteness, its embrace of movement and process, its rejection of traditional notions of finish and perfection-all have inspired generations of artists, writers, and thinkers.

Rodin’s willingness to leave the figure unfinished was a declaration of artistic freedom. It was a rejection of the idea that art-or life-must be polished, complete, or perfect to be valuable. Instead, Rodin celebrated the beauty of becoming, the power of the journey, the courage to move forward despite uncertainty.

For leaders, this is a powerful message. The world is changing rapidly, and the old certainties are disappearing. The ability to act, to adapt, to move forward without all the answers is more important than ever. The leader who waits for perfection will be left behind. The leader who embraces the journey, who is willing to cross the threshold, will shape the future.

The Walking Man in Context: Legacy and Influence

Rodin’s Walking Man paved the way for the modernist embrace of fragmentation, abstraction, and the unfinished. It inspired artists such as Henri Matisse, Umberto Boccioni, and Alberto Giacometti, whose own Walking Man would become one of the most iconic images of modern art.

The sculpture’s influence extends beyond the art world. It has become a symbol of human resilience, progress, and the courage to move forward in the face of adversity. In times of crisis, uncertainty, or change, The Walking Man stands as a beacon-a reminder that the journey is more important than the destination, that action is more powerful than hesitation, that the willingness to step forward is the first step toward greatness.

Conclusion: The Journey Begins with a Step

As you stand before Rodin’s Walking Man, take a moment to honor your own journey. Recognize the courage it takes to move forward, to cross thresholds, to embrace the unknown. The missing head and arms are not a flaw, but a reminder that you do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. The journey will shape you, refine you, and reveal your true form.

The act of stepping forward is itself an act of creation. It is a declaration of commitment, a leap of faith, a promise to yourself and to those you lead. The world is waiting for your stride, your courage, your willingness to act.

The journey begins with a single step. Take it.

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies – “The Burghers of Calais”

Introduction: The Crucible of Challenge

No journey worth taking is without trials. After the hero has answered the call, faced their doubts, and received the guidance of a mentor, they step into the world of adventure-a world filled with tests, allies, and enemies. In the Hero’s Journey, this is the crucible where character is forged, relationships are tested, and the hero’s resolve is pushed to its limits.

For leaders, this stage is the lived reality of every major project, transformation, or crisis. It is the stretch of the journey where vision meets resistance, where the need for support becomes clear, and where the true nature of obstacles-both external and internal-comes into focus. It is here that the leader must learn to rely on others, to navigate conflict, and to grow through adversity.

No work of art captures the complexity and humanity of this stage more powerfully than Auguste Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais (1884–89). This monumental bronze group, depicting six citizens sacrificing themselves to save their city during the Hundred Years’ War, is a masterclass in the portrayal of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Their faces show anguish, resolve, and solidarity-a testament to the power of community, teamwork, and courage in the face of fear.

The Historical Moment: Sacrifice and Solidarity

To understand the depth of Rodin’s achievement, it is essential to revisit the historical episode that inspired The Burghers of Calais. In 1347, after an eleven-month siege by the English army under King Edward III, the French port city of Calais was on the brink of starvation. With no hope of relief, the city’s leaders were forced to negotiate surrender.

According to the chronicler Jean Froissart, Edward offered to spare the people of Calais if six of its leading citizens would surrender themselves to him, presumably to be executed. The first to volunteer was Eustache de Saint Pierre, one of the wealthiest and most respected burghers. Five others joined him. Wearing sackcloth and halters around their necks-a sign of submission-and carrying the keys to the city, they walked out to face their fate. Unknown to them, their lives would ultimately be spared by the intervention of Queen Philippa of Hainault, who pleaded for mercy.

This act of self-sacrifice became a powerful symbol of civic virtue, patriotism, and the willingness of ordinary people to do extraordinary things for the greater good. The story also resonated deeply with the French public in the late nineteenth century, a period marked by national soul-searching after defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.

Rodin’s Vision: The Everyman as Hero

When the city of Calais commissioned Rodin to create a monument to the burghers in 1884, the expectation was for a traditional, heroic sculpture-perhaps a single, elevated figure, or a pyramidal composition with a clear leader at the apex. Rodin, however, rejected these conventions. He chose instead to portray the six men not as glorious heroes, but as troubled and isolated individuals brought together by their anguish and common purpose.

Rodin’s Burghers stand at the same level, each facing a different direction, each lost in his own thoughts and emotions. There is no central figure, no clear hierarchy. The men are dressed in tattered sackcloth, their bodies emaciated by hunger, their faces contorted by fear, indecision, and sorrow. Yet, they are united by the gravity of their mission and the weight of their sacrifice.

This was a radical departure from the academic style of the time, which favored idealized, triumphant representations of historical figures. Rodin’s innovation was to bring the heroes down to “street level,” allowing viewers to look directly into their faces and to feel their anxiety, vulnerability, and humanity. The sculpture must be viewed in-the-round, from multiple perspectives, with no single focal point-mirroring the complexity and ambiguity of real-life challenges.

The Everyman Archetype: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Acts

At the heart of this stage in the Hero’s Journey is the “everyman” archetype. The tests, allies, and enemies encountered by the hero are rarely faced alone. The journey is a collective endeavor, requiring the support, wisdom, and courage of others. The everyman is not a superhero, but an ordinary person called to do extraordinary things-often in the company of others who share the burden and the risk.

Rodin’s Burghers are the embodiment of this archetype. They are not depicted as larger-than-life warriors or saints. Instead, they are ordinary men-fathers, merchants, citizens-thrust into a situation that demands everything of them. Their unity in the face of fear is a lesson for leaders: greatness is not the preserve of the exceptional, but the possibility of all who are willing to act for the greater good.

The sculpture’s lack of hierarchy is significant. By placing all six men on the same level, Rodin emphasizes the equality of their sacrifice and the collective nature of their courage. Each man responds to the crisis in his own way-some with stoic resolve, others with visible anguish, others with a sense of resignation or quiet strength. Together, they form a community of purpose, a team forged in adversity.

The Anatomy of Challenge: Tests, Allies, and Enemies

In the Hero’s Journey, the stage of tests, allies, and enemies is where the protagonist encounters the first real obstacles on the path to transformation. These may take the form of external challenges-difficult projects, resistance, setbacks-or internal struggles-self-doubt, fear, conflicting loyalties.

For leaders, this stage is the crucible of growth. It is where vision meets reality, where plans are tested by unforeseen complications, where the need for allies becomes clear, and where the true nature of opposition-both external and internal-emerges.

Rodin’s Burghers capture this dynamic with extraordinary psychological depth. Each figure is an individual, grappling with his own fears and hopes, yet they are bound together by a shared mission. The heavy, rhythmic drapery that hangs from their shoulders falls to the ground like lead weights, anchoring them and creating a mass of strong, unyielding bodies. The fabric appears almost fused to the ground, conveying the conflict between the men’s desire to live and the need to save their city.

The enlarged hands, heads, and feet heighten the monumentality of the figures, emphasizing their humanity and the gravity of their sacrifice. The faces are etched with sorrow, despair, determination, and resolve-each a study in the emotional complexity of facing a life-or-death test.

The Power of Community: Allies in Adversity

One of the most profound lessons of The Burghers of Calais is the importance of community in the face of adversity. The six men are not isolated heroes, but a team-a group of individuals who, despite their differences, are united by a common purpose.

For leaders, the need for allies is paramount. No significant challenge can be met alone. Allies may be colleagues, friends, mentors, or even unexpected supporters who appear at crucial moments. They provide encouragement, share the burden, offer new perspectives, and help the leader stay grounded in the midst of chaos.

Rodin’s decision to avoid a hierarchical arrangement-eschewing the typical pyramidal grouping with a prominent central figure-reinforces the idea that leadership is a shared responsibility. Each man is both a leader and a follower, both strong and vulnerable. The sculpture invites viewers to “enter the group,” to become part of the difficult mass of humanity, to feel the collective anxiety and resolve.

The burghers’ solidarity is not the absence of fear, but the triumph of courage and compassion over fear. Their willingness to act together, despite their individual doubts and sorrows, is a model for all who seek to lead in times of crisis.

The Reality of Opposition: Enemies Within and Without

Every journey encounters opposition. In the Hero’s Journey, enemies may take many forms: external adversaries, critics, obstacles, or even the hero’s own doubts and fears. For the burghers, the enemy is both literal-the English army outside the gates-and psychological-the terror of impending death, the pain of leaving loved ones behind, the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Rodin’s sculpture does not shy away from this reality. The figures are not depicted in triumphant poses, but in states of anguish, indecision, and vulnerability. Some clutch the keys to the city, others hang their heads in despair, others look outward with stoic resolve. The diversity of their responses is a reminder that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of it.

For leaders, enemies may be external-competitors, critics, systemic obstacles-or internal-self-doubt, fear of failure, imposter syndrome. The challenge is to recognize these enemies for what they are, to confront them honestly, and to seek the support of allies in overcoming them.

The Test of Character: Growth Through Adversity

The stage of tests, allies, and enemies is where character is forged. It is in the crucible of challenge that leaders discover their true strengths, clarify their values, and learn the importance of humility, resilience, and empathy.

Rodin’s Burghers are not idealized heroes, but real people facing real fear. Their sacrifice is not easy or glorious; it is painful, uncertain, and fraught with doubt. Yet, it is precisely this vulnerability that makes their courage so profound.

For leaders, the lesson is clear: growth comes not from avoiding difficulty, but from embracing it. The tests you face are not obstacles to be avoided, but opportunities to learn, to adapt, and to deepen your understanding of yourself and others.

The Sculpture’s Impact: Empathy and Engagement

Rodin’s Burghers of Calais is designed to engage the viewer on a deeply personal level. By placing the figures at street level, with no pedestal or barrier, Rodin invites us to step into the circle, to look into the faces of the burghers, to feel their anxiety and resolve. The sculpture is not just a monument to the past, but a call to empathy, solidarity, and shared responsibility in the present.

The work’s emotional power is heightened by Rodin’s expressive distortion of features and proportions. The enlarged hands and feet, the heavy drapery, the varied poses-all contribute to a sense of collective struggle and individual suffering. The viewer is drawn into the drama, compelled to confront the reality of sacrifice and the complexity of moral choice.

For leaders, this engagement is essential. Leadership is not about standing above others, but about standing with them-sharing their struggles, listening to their concerns, and acting with compassion and integrity.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• Who are your allies and adversaries in your leadership journey?
  Identify the people who support you, challenge you, or stand in your way. How do you build and maintain these relationships?
• What tests have you faced recently?
  Reflect on the challenges, setbacks, or crises that have tested your resolve. What did you learn from these experiences?
• How do you respond to challenge and support others?
  Consider your approach to adversity. Do you seek help, offer support, or try to go it alone? How can you strengthen your alliances and foster a sense of community?

Exercise: Strengthening Alliances

Identify three people who support you and three challenges you face. Write down one action you can take to strengthen your alliances.

• List your allies: Who are the colleagues, friends, or mentors who have your back? How do they support you?
• List your challenges: What are the specific tests you are facing right now? How do they impact you and your team?
• Take action: For each ally, write down one thing you can do to show appreciation, offer support, or deepen your relationship. For each challenge, consider how you can enlist the help of your allies to overcome it.

The Legacy of The Burghers of Calais: Lessons for Leaders

Rodin’s Burghers of Calais is more than a historical monument; it is a timeless meditation on the nature of courage, sacrifice, and community. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were in the fourteenth century or the nineteenth.

• Courage is collective: The greatest acts of bravery are often those undertaken together, in solidarity with others.
• Vulnerability is strength: True courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of it.
• Leadership is shared: The best leaders are those who recognize the value of every member of the team, who listen, support, and empower others.
• Growth comes through challenge: The tests you face are opportunities for growth, learning, and transformation.

Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Together

As you stand before Rodin’s Burghers of Calais, take a moment to honor the courage of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Reflect on your own journey-the tests you have faced, the allies who have supported you, the enemies you have overcome. Recognize that you are not alone, that your strength lies in community, and that your greatest achievements are those you share with others.

The journey is not easy, but it is worth it. Together, we can face any challenge, overcome any obstacle, and create a legacy of courage, compassion, and solidarity.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave – “The Kiss”

Introduction: The Threshold of Vulnerability

Every great journey, whether mythic or modern, contains a moment of deepening tension-a point where the hero, having crossed the threshold into the unknown, must now approach the heart of the challenge. Joseph Campbell called this the Approach to the Inmost Cave: the stage where the hero draws near to their greatest ordeal, confronting not only external dangers but also their deepest fears, desires, and truths.

For leaders, this is the moment of radical honesty. It is the point where strategy and intellect are no longer enough; where the journey demands heart, vulnerability, and the courage to align actions with core values and passions. It is the stage where leaders must risk being truly seen-by others and by themselves.

No work of art captures the complexity, beauty, and risk of this stage more powerfully than Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss (1882). This marble sculpture, depicting two lovers in a passionate embrace, is both timeless and deeply human. Inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, Rodin’s masterpiece is a meditation on connection, intimacy, and the courage to love-even when love brings risk, exposure, and the possibility of loss.

The Story Behind The Kiss: Love and Tragedy

The Kiss was originally conceived as part of Rodin’s monumental project, The Gates of Hell-a vast bronze portal inspired by Dante’s Inferno. In Dante’s narrative, Paolo and Francesca are two lovers doomed to the second circle of Hell for their adulterous passion. Their story is one of forbidden love: Francesca, married to the brutal Gianciotto Malatesta, falls for his younger brother Paolo. Their affair is discovered, and both are killed by Gianciotto in a fit of rage.

In Rodin’s sculpture, we see Paolo and Francesca caught in the moment just before their lips meet. Paolo holds a book-Dante tells us it is the tale of Lancelot and Guinevere, the story that awakened their own love. The lovers are nude, entwined, their bodies pressed together in a pose that is at once sensual and innocent. The moment is suspended, eternal; the tragedy of their fate hangs in the air, but for now, there is only desire, connection, and the courage to embrace.

Rodin later removed the lovers from The Gates of Hell, realizing that their passion was too pure, too hopeful for the torments of Hell. The sculpture became a standalone masterpiece, celebrated for its beauty, sensuality, and emotional depth.

The Lover Archetype: Connection, Intimacy, and Authenticity

In the Hero’s Journey, the Approach to the Inmost Cave is about confronting what matters most. It is the stage of the Lover archetype: the part of us that longs for connection, intimacy, and authenticity. The Lover is not just about romance or sexuality; it is about the courage to open ourselves to others, to risk vulnerability, and to align our actions with our deepest values and passions.

For leaders, this stage is critical. It is easy to lead from a place of strategy, intellect, or authority. It is much harder to lead from the heart-to be authentic, to build real relationships, to care deeply about people and purpose. Yet, it is precisely this kind of leadership that inspires trust, loyalty, and transformation.

Rodin’s The Kiss is a masterclass in the art of vulnerability. The lovers are exposed, unguarded, and completely present with each other. Their embrace is passionate, but also tender; their connection is physical, but also emotional and spiritual. In this moment, they risk everything for love-and in doing so, they reveal the power and beauty of true intimacy.

Artistic Analysis: Sensuality, Movement, and the Human Condition

Rodin’s genius lay in his ability to capture not just the physical form, but the emotional and psychological reality of his subjects. In The Kiss, he drew on his experience and knowledge of classical sculpture, but infused it with a new sense of movement, energy, and realism.

The lovers are rendered in smooth, luminous marble, their skin contrasting with the rough, unfinished rock on which they sit. This juxtaposition heightens the sensuality of the piece, inviting the viewer to imagine the warmth and softness of flesh against cold stone. The figures are entwined, their bodies forming a single, flowing composition that can be appreciated from every angle. Rodin wanted the sculpture to be believable and real, to evoke raw emotion rather than mere admiration for technical skill.

The faces of the lovers are not individualized; they are universal, archetypal. Rodin’s decision to leave their features imprecise allows viewers to project their own experiences, desires, and fears onto the sculpture. The embrace is so complete that their faces are barely visible, emphasizing the totality of their connection and the intensity of their passion.

Yet, there is also tension in the piece. The lovers’ lips do not quite touch, creating a sense of anticipation and longing. Paolo’s hand rests lightly on Francesca’s thigh, suggesting the initial stages of the embrace. The book in his other hand is a reminder of the story that brought them together-and of the fate that awaits them. The moment is fleeting, suspended between desire and doom, love and loss.

The Kiss and the Inmost Cave: Facing What Matters Most

In the Hero’s Journey, the Inmost Cave is both a place and a metaphor. It is the heart of the journey, the place where the hero must confront their deepest fears, desires, and truths. For leaders, the Inmost Cave is the place where strategy gives way to soul-where the real work of transformation begins.

Rodin’s The Kiss is the perfect symbol for this stage. The embrace of Paolo and Francesca is not just a moment of passion; it is a moment of radical vulnerability. To love is to risk-to risk rejection, loss, exposure, and even destruction. Yet, it is also to risk joy, connection, and the possibility of transformation.

For leaders, the approach to the Inmost Cave is about aligning actions with values, risking authenticity, and opening oneself to others. It is about moving beyond the armor of authority and allowing oneself to be seen-not as a perfect, invulnerable figure, but as a real, passionate, and imperfect human being.

The Courage to Be Vulnerable: Lessons for Leaders

Vulnerability is often misunderstood as weakness. In reality, it is the source of true strength. To be vulnerable is to be open-to possibility, to connection, to growth. It is to risk failure, but also to risk greatness.

Rodin’s lovers are vulnerable in every sense. They are exposed, unguarded, and completely present with each other. Their embrace is an act of courage-a willingness to risk everything for the sake of connection. In this moment, they are fully alive, fully present, fully themselves.

For leaders, vulnerability is the key to authenticity. It is the willingness to admit mistakes, to ask for help, to care deeply about people and purpose. It is the courage to have difficult conversations, to share hopes and fears, to lead from the heart as well as the head.

Research in leadership and organizational psychology has shown that vulnerability is essential for building trust, fostering innovation, and creating high-performing teams. When leaders are willing to be vulnerable, they invite others to do the same; they create cultures of openness, honesty, and mutual support.

The Power of Connection: Building Authentic Relationships

The Kiss is a celebration of connection-not just romantic, but human. The lovers are so entwined that they seem to become one, their boundaries dissolving in the intensity of their embrace. This is the essence of the Lover archetype: the longing for union, for deep relationship, for the experience of being truly seen and accepted.

For leaders, connection is the foundation of influence. People do not follow titles; they follow people-especially people who care, who listen, who build real relationships. Authentic connection requires presence, empathy, and the willingness to engage with others as equals.

Rodin’s sculpture reminds us that connection is not just about agreement or harmony. It is about the willingness to be present with others, even in moments of tension, disagreement, or pain. The lovers’ embrace is passionate, but it is also tragic; their connection is real, but it comes at a cost. True connection requires risk-the risk of being hurt, misunderstood, or rejected. But it is also the source of the deepest joy and fulfillment.

The Sensuality of Leadership: Leading with Heart

Rodin’s The Kiss is often celebrated for its sensuality-the way it captures the beauty and intensity of physical love. But sensuality, in its deepest sense, is not just about sex or romance; it is about being fully alive to the world, fully present in the moment, fully engaged with others.

For leaders, sensuality means leading with heart-with passion, presence, and a deep appreciation for the richness of human experience. It means caring about people, about purpose, about the work itself. It means bringing your whole self to the task-not just your intellect, but your emotions, your values, your dreams.

The contrast between the smooth skin of the lovers and the rough marble of the rock they sit on is a metaphor for the interplay of vulnerability and strength. The rock is the foundation, the reality of the world; the lovers are the vision, the possibility, the dream. Leadership requires both: the ability to navigate the hard realities of life, and the courage to dream, to love, to care.

The Influence of Canova and the Classical Tradition

Rodin was deeply influenced by the classical tradition, especially the work of Antonio Canova. Canova’s Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss is a masterpiece of neoclassical sculpture, celebrated for its idealized beauty and ethereal grace. Rodin spent many hours in the Louvre, studying Canova and other masters, learning the techniques of modeling, composition, and movement.

But where Canova’s figures are idealized and godlike, Rodin’s lovers are unmistakably human. Their bodies are not perfect; their features are not individualized. Instead, Rodin chose to focus on the emotional truth of the moment-the passion, the vulnerability, the risk. In doing so, he pushed the boundaries of what sculpture could express, creating a work that is both timeless and deeply modern.

Rodin’s approach was controversial in his own time. The eroticism of The Kiss was considered shocking by some; a bronze version was even hidden from public view at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. But the public was fascinated, and the sculpture quickly became one of Rodin’s most celebrated works.

The Kiss and the Human Condition: Universal Themes

The Kiss is more than a celebration of romantic love; it is a meditation on the human condition. The lovers are caught in a moment of passion, but their story is one of tragedy as well as joy. Their embrace is fleeting, suspended between desire and doom, love and loss.

This duality is at the heart of the Hero’s Journey. The approach to the Inmost Cave is not just about confronting external challenges; it is about facing the deepest truths of our own hearts. What do we desire? What are we willing to risk? What are we afraid to lose?

For leaders, these questions are essential. The journey to authenticity requires the courage to face not only our strengths, but also our fears, doubts, and longings. It requires the willingness to risk failure, rejection, and disappointment for the sake of something greater.

The Kiss in Context: Art, Culture, and Controversy

Rodin’s The Kiss has become one of the most iconic images of love in the history of art. Its popularity is due in part to its beauty, but also to its complexity. The sculpture is at once universal and specific, timeless and contemporary, sensual and tragic.

When it was first exhibited, The Kiss shocked and fascinated audiences. Its frank depiction of physical love was considered daring, even scandalous. Yet, its emotional depth and artistic mastery won over critics and the public alike. Today, The Kiss is celebrated not only as a masterpiece of sculpture, but as a cultural phenomenon-a work that continues to inspire, provoke, and move people around the world.

The enduring appeal of The Kiss lies in its ability to speak to universal human experiences: the longing for connection, the courage to love, the risk of vulnerability, and the beauty of being fully alive.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• What do you most love about your work?
  Reflect on the aspects of your work that bring you joy, fulfillment, and meaning. What are you passionate about? What values guide your actions?
• Where do you risk being vulnerable as a leader?
  Consider the areas where you allow yourself to be seen-by your team, your colleagues, your organization. Where do you take risks, admit mistakes, or share your hopes and fears?
• How do you connect with others authentically?
  Think about the relationships you build. Are they based on trust, empathy, and mutual respect? How do you show up for others, and how do you invite them to show up for you?

Exercise: Embracing Vulnerability

Share with a partner (or write in your journal) what you most love about your work and what scares you about pursuing it fully.

• Identify the passions, values, and dreams that drive you.
• Acknowledge the fears, doubts, and risks that hold you back.
• Reflect on what it would mean to lead from a place of authenticity, connection, and courage.

The Kiss as a Guide: Approaching Your Own Inmost Cave

As you stand before Rodin’s The Kiss, let yourself be drawn into the embrace-not just of the lovers, but of your own deepest values and desires. The approach to the Inmost Cave is not easy; it requires courage, honesty, and the willingness to risk vulnerability.

But it is also the place where transformation happens. When you lead from the heart, when you align your actions with your passions and values, when you risk being truly seen, you open the door to connection, creativity, and change.

The journey is not just about strategy or success; it is about love-love for people, for purpose, for the work itself. It is about the courage to care, to connect, to be fully alive.

Conclusion: The Power of Love and Leadership

Rodin’s The Kiss is a masterpiece of passion, vulnerability, and authenticity. It is a reminder that the greatest journeys are not just about conquering challenges, but about embracing what matters most. The approach to the Inmost Cave is the stage where leaders become lovers-of people, of purpose, of possibility.

As you continue your own journey, remember the lessons of The Kiss:

• Lead with heart.
• Risk vulnerability.
• Build authentic connections.
• Align your actions with your deepest values and passions.

The journey to the Inmost Cave is the journey to your own heart. Embrace it fully, and you will discover the power of love-not just to transform yourself, but to inspire and uplift everyone you lead.

8. The Ordeal – “Ugolino and His Sons”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Hero’s Journey Perspective:
Every hero faces an ordeal-a crisis that tests their resolve. Ugolino and His Sons (1882) depicts the tragic figure from Dante’s Inferno, condemned to starve with his children. The sculpture is raw, anguished, and haunting.

This is the stage of the “destroyer” archetype: loss, suffering, and the stripping away of illusions. For leaders, the ordeal may be a failed project, a betrayal, or a personal crisis. It is the moment when you are forced to confront your limits and find new strength.

Rodin’s sculpture captures the agony and resilience of the human spirit. The ordeal is painful, but it is also transformative. It is the crucible in which true leadership is forged.

Questions:

• When have you faced your greatest challenge as a leader?
• What did you learn from your darkest hour?
• How did you find the strength to continue?

Exercise:
Recall a leadership ordeal. Write about the strengths you discovered in yourself. How has this experience shaped your leadership?

Here comes the extended version 

Here is an in-depth, extended exploration (approx. 4000 words) of The Ordeal – “Ugolino and His Sons” by Auguste Rodin, weaving together art history, symbolism, and the Hero’s Journey, especially as it relates to leadership, crisis, and the crucible of transformation. This narrative draws from your provided sources and expands on the psychological, emotional, and creative dimensions of this pivotal stage.

The Ordeal – “Ugolino and His Sons”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: The Crucible of the Ordeal

Every hero’s journey, whether mythic or modern, contains a moment of supreme trial-a crisis that tests resolve, strips away illusions, and demands the deepest reserves of strength. Joseph Campbell called this stage The Ordeal: the dark night of the soul, the point where the hero faces their greatest fear, loss, or challenge. In leadership, this is the moment when a failed project, a betrayal, or a personal crisis forces you to confront your limits and discover new strength within yourself.

No work of art captures the agony, horror, and transformative potential of this ordeal more powerfully than Auguste Rodin’s Ugolino and His Sons (1882). Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, Rodin’s sculpture is a raw, anguished, and haunting meditation on suffering, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is the embodiment of the “destroyer” archetype: the force that brings endings, strips away what is false, and prepares the ground for rebirth.

The Story Behind the Sculpture: Dante’s Inferno and the Cannibal Count

To understand the emotional and symbolic power of Ugolino and His Sons, we must first turn to its literary source: Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, specifically Inferno, Canto 33. Here, Dante encounters Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, an aristocrat and politician from 13th-century Pisa, imprisoned with his sons and grandsons in the Muda Tower by his political rival, Archbishop Ruggieri degli Ubaldini.

The story is one of betrayal and cruelty. After being accused of treason, Ugolino and his family were locked away and left to starve. Dante’s account is famously ambiguous and horrific: as Ugolino’s sons die one by one, they beg their father to eat their bodies to survive. Ugolino, driven mad by hunger and grief, gnaws at his own hands. Whether he ultimately succumbs to cannibalism is left unclear, but the agony is undeniable. In Dante’s vision of Hell, Ugolino is eternally punished, locked in ice and gnawing on the skull of his betrayer, Ruggieri.

This story, retold and reimagined by poets and artists from Chaucer to Shelley to Seamus Heaney, became a symbol of the extremes of human suffering, the complexity of guilt and innocence, and the endurance of the spirit in the face of utter despair.

Rodin’s Interpretation: Agony, Humanity, and the Beast Within

Rodin was deeply moved by Dante’s tale. In his Gates of Hell-the monumental portal inspired by the Inferno-the story of Ugolino was one of the first episodes he chose to interpret as sculpture. Early studies show Rodin experimenting with a vertical composition, echoing the approach of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, whose own Ugolino and His Sons had set a precedent in French sculpture. But Rodin ultimately chose a radically different path.

In Rodin’s final version, Ugolino is shown not upright but horizontal, crawling over the bodies of his dying children. His posture is animalistic, desperate, and dehumanized-a man reduced to the level of a beast by suffering and hunger. His mouth is open in a silent scream, his hands clawing at the ground. The children’s bodies are twisted around him, some already lifeless, others still clinging to hope or reaching for their father’s embrace.

Rodin’s decision to depict Ugolino in this way was both a technical and emotional breakthrough. The horizontal composition reinforces the inhumanity of the situation, the stripping away of dignity, and the descent into primal survival. Yet, even in this state, Ugolino retains a trace of humanity-a caress for one child, a gesture of protection, a refusal to surrender completely to despair.

The sculpture is a study in contrasts: strength and weakness, love and horror, humanity and animality. The agony is palpable, but so is the resilience. In the midst of suffering, there is still a glimmer of connection, a refusal to give in.

The Destroyer Archetype: Loss, Suffering, and the Stripping Away of Illusions

In the Hero’s Journey, the Ordeal is the stage of the “destroyer” archetype. This is the force that brings endings, shatters illusions, and confronts the hero with the reality of loss, suffering, and mortality. The destroyer is not evil; it is necessary. It is the crucible in which the old self is burned away, making room for something new.

For leaders, the Ordeal may take many forms:

• The collapse of a cherished project
• The betrayal of a trusted colleague
• The public failure of an initiative
• The loss of a job, reputation, or sense of purpose
• A personal crisis-illness, grief, or the shattering of a dream

These moments are painful, sometimes excruciating. They force us to confront our limits, to let go of what no longer serves us, and to find new sources of strength. The ordeal is not just a test of skill or strategy; it is a test of character, soul, and spirit.

Rodin’s Ugolino and His Sons is a visual embodiment of this crucible. The agony is not sanitized or hidden; it is on full display. The bodies are emaciated, the faces contorted with pain, the gestures desperate and raw. Yet, in the midst of suffering, there is also a fierce will to survive, a refusal to surrender, a glimmer of hope.

Artistic Analysis: Composition, Emotion, and Innovation

Rodin’s sculpture is a masterclass in the expression of emotion through form. The composition is dynamic, with Ugolino’s body arched over his children, his limbs splayed in a gesture of both protection and despair. The children are arranged in a spiral, their bodies entwined with their father’s, creating a sense of movement and chaos.

The surface of the sculpture is rough, almost unfinished, heightening the sense of immediacy and intensity. Rodin was less interested in idealized beauty than in the raw, unfiltered reality of suffering. The muscles, veins, and bones are rendered with anatomical precision, but the overall effect is one of psychological, not just physical, torment.

Rodin’s innovation lay in his willingness to break with tradition. Where earlier sculptors might have sought to ennoble or sanitize the scene, Rodin embraced its horror and ambiguity. He was unafraid to show the beast within, the primal instincts that emerge under extreme duress. Yet, he also captured the enduring humanity of his subjects-the love, the grief, the longing for connection.

This duality is what gives the sculpture its power. It is not just a depiction of suffering, but a meditation on what it means to be human in the face of unimaginable loss.

The Ordeal in Leadership: Crisis as Crucible

For leaders, the Ordeal is the moment when everything is on the line. It is the crisis that tests resolve, reveals character, and forces a reckoning with reality. In these moments, the masks come off, the illusions fall away, and the true self is revealed.

The ordeal may come unexpectedly-a sudden failure, a betrayal, a public setback. Or it may build slowly, the result of accumulated stress, unresolved conflict, or the slow erosion of hope. Whatever its form, the ordeal is always a turning point.

The question is not whether you will face such moments, but how you will respond. Will you collapse under the weight of suffering, or will you find new strength? Will you cling to old patterns and illusions, or will you allow yourself to be transformed?

Rodin’s Ugolino and His Sons offers no easy answers, but it does offer a model of resilience. Even in the depths of despair, there is a refusal to surrender, a clinging to what matters most. The ordeal is not the end; it is the crucible in which true leadership is forged.

The Historical and Literary Ugolino: Guilt, Innocence, and the Complexity of Judgment

The story of Ugolino is not just one of suffering, but of moral ambiguity. Was Ugolino a traitor, as his enemies claimed, or a victim of political intrigue? Did he succumb to cannibalism, or was he the victim of slander? Dante’s account is deliberately ambiguous, inviting readers to grapple with the complexity of guilt, innocence, and justice.

For leaders, this ambiguity is instructive. The ordeal is rarely black and white. It is a time of confusion, doubt, and conflicting loyalties. The easy certainties of the past are stripped away, and the leader is forced to navigate a landscape of moral and emotional complexity.

Rodin’s sculpture captures this ambiguity. Ugolino is both victim and survivor, both loving father and desperate animal. The children are both innocent and complicit in their own fate, begging their father to do the unthinkable. The scene is one of horror, but also of love, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of family.

This complexity is at the heart of the ordeal. It is not just a test of endurance, but a test of wisdom, compassion, and the ability to hold conflicting truths.

The Ordeal as Transformation: From Suffering to Strength

The ordeal is not just about suffering; it is about transformation. In the Hero’s Journey, the ordeal is the moment when the hero confronts death-literal or metaphorical-and emerges changed. It is the crucible in which the old self is destroyed and the new self is born.

For leaders, the ordeal is the moment when you discover what you are truly made of. It is the time when you find strengths you did not know you had, when you let go of what no longer serves you, and when you begin to see new possibilities.

Rodin’s Ugolino and His Sons is a testament to this process. The agony is real, but so is the resilience. The suffering is profound, but it is not the end. In the midst of despair, there is still a will to survive, a longing for connection, a refusal to surrender.

The ordeal is painful, but it is also the gateway to transformation. It is the moment when you are forced to let go of the old and embrace the new. It is the crucible in which true leadership is forged.

The Ordeal in The Gates of Hell: Perspective and Context

Ugolino and His Sons was originally conceived as part of Rodin’s Gates of Hell, a monumental project that consumed the artist for decades. In the context of the Gates, Ugolino’s group is found on the lower half of the left door, positioned so that it is not possible to observe all of the children from a single perspective. This is a deliberate choice, reflecting the complexity and ambiguity of the ordeal.

The Gates themselves are a meditation on suffering, punishment, and the possibility of redemption. Ugolino’s story is one among many, but it stands out for its intensity and emotional depth. The placement of the group on the Gates reinforces the idea that the ordeal is not a solitary experience, but part of the larger human condition.

Rodin’s willingness to allow for multiple perspectives-both literally and figuratively-is a hallmark of his genius. The ordeal is not a single, fixed event, but a process that unfolds over time, seen differently by each participant and observer.

The Ordeal and the Human Spirit: Agony, Resilience, and Hope

At its core, Ugolino and His Sons is a meditation on the resilience of the human spirit. The agony is undeniable, but so is the will to survive. The suffering is profound, but it is not the end.

For leaders, the ordeal is the moment when you discover what you truly value. It is the time when you are forced to let go of illusions, to confront your limitations, and to find new sources of strength. It is the crucible in which your character is tested and refined.

Rodin’s sculpture is a reminder that suffering is not meaningless. It is the gateway to transformation, the fire that forges true leadership. The ordeal is painful, but it is also necessary. It is the moment when you are forced to confront your deepest fears, to let go of what no longer serves you, and to embrace the possibility of renewal.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• When have you faced your greatest challenge as a leader?
  Recall a time when you were tested-by failure, betrayal, loss, or crisis. What was at stake? How did you respond?
• What did you learn from your darkest hour?
  Reflect on the lessons you gained from the ordeal. What strengths did you discover? What illusions did you have to let go of? How did the experience change you?
• How did you find the strength to continue?
  Consider the sources of resilience-internal and external-that helped you survive and move forward. Was it the support of others, a sense of purpose, or a newfound belief in yourself?

Exercise: Writing Your Ordeal

Recall a leadership ordeal. Write about the strengths you discovered in yourself. How has this experience shaped your leadership?

• Describe the situation: What happened? What was at stake?
• Reflect on your response: How did you feel? What did you do?
• Identify the strengths: What qualities or resources helped you survive?
• Consider the transformation: How did the ordeal change you? What did you let go of? What did you gain?
• Apply the lessons: How can you use what you learned to lead more effectively in the future?

The Legacy of Ugolino: Lessons for Leaders

Rodin’s Ugolino and His Sons is more than a depiction of suffering; it is a meditation on the power of the ordeal to transform, refine, and reveal the true self. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were in Dante’s time:

• Suffering is universal: Every leader will face moments of crisis, loss, and despair. These are not signs of failure, but opportunities for growth.
• Resilience is forged in the crucible: True strength is not the absence of suffering, but the ability to endure, adapt, and find meaning in adversity.
• Transformation requires letting go: The ordeal strips away illusions and attachments, forcing the leader to confront what truly matters.
• Hope endures: Even in the darkest hour, there is a glimmer of hope-a will to survive, a longing for connection, a refusal to surrender.

Conclusion: The Ordeal as Gateway to Transformation

As you stand before Rodin’s Ugolino and His Sons, let yourself feel the agony, the horror, and the resilience of the figures. Reflect on your own ordeals-the moments when you were tested, stripped bare, and forced to find new strength within yourself.

The ordeal is not the end of the journey, but its turning point. It is the crucible in which true leadership is forged. Embrace the pain, the loss, the stripping away of illusions-for it is in these moments that you discover who you truly are, and who you are meant to become.

The journey continues. The ordeal is behind you, but its lessons endure. Carry them with you, and let them guide you as you move forward-stronger, wiser, and more fully alive.

9. Reward (Seizing the Sword) – “Eve”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Hero’s Journey Perspective:
Emerging from the ordeal, the hero gains a reward-insight, power, or a new sense of self. Eve (1881) is a sculpture of the first woman, caught in a moment of awakening and vulnerability.

This stage is about the “creator” archetype: rebirth, creativity, and new possibilities. For leaders, it is the realization of your unique gifts and the courage to use them. Eve’s pose, both shy and strong, suggests the complexity of embracing your power.

The reward is not always material; it is often a deeper understanding of yourself and your purpose. As you contemplate Eve, consider what you have gained from your journey so far.

Questions:

• What is your unique gift as a leader?
• How can you use it to create value for others?
• What new possibilities have emerged for you?

Exercise:
Sketch or describe your “leadership gift.” Reflect on how you can use it to serve your team or organization.

Here comes the extended version:

Here is an in-depth, extended exploration (approx. 4000 words) of Reward (Seizing the Sword) – “Eve” by Auguste Rodin, weaving together art history, symbolism, and the Hero’s Journey, especially as it relates to leadership, rebirth, and the creative emergence of new possibilities. This narrative draws from the provided search results and expands on the psychological, emotional, and creative dimensions of this pivotal stage.

Reward (Seizing the Sword) – “Eve”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: The Dawn After the Ordeal

Every hero’s journey, whether mythic or modern, contains a moment of emergence-a turning point when the protagonist, having survived the ordeal, steps into the light of new understanding. Joseph Campbell called this stage The Reward (Seizing the Sword): the moment when the hero, transformed by suffering and struggle, claims a prize. Sometimes, the reward is literal-a treasure, a weapon, a victory. More often, it is internal: insight, power, or a new sense of self.

For leaders, this is the moment of rebirth. It is the realization of unique gifts, the courage to use them, and the willingness to embrace new possibilities. It is the creative emergence that follows the crucible of crisis. The “creator” archetype awakens: the part of us that can shape the future, not just endure it.

No work of art captures the complexity of this emergence more powerfully than Auguste Rodin’s Eve (1881). This sculpture of the first woman, caught in a moment of awakening and vulnerability, is both ancient and modern-a meditation on shame, power, and the courage to become.

The Story Behind the Sculpture: Genesis, Shame, and Awakening

Rodin’s Eve owes its genesis to his monumental project, The Gates of Hell-a vast bronze portal inspired by Dante’s Inferno, commissioned by the French government in 1880. As Rodin worked on the Gates, he drew inspiration from the art of the Renaissance, especially Michelangelo’s panels from the Sistine Chapel and Masaccio’s Expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The figures of Adam and Eve were intended to flank the Gates, standing as perpetual witnesses to the consequences of human choice-body death, suffering, and the hope of redemption.

Rodin began sculpting Eve in 1881, working from a live model, Adèle Abruzzesi. The process was marked by a remarkable twist of fate: as Rodin worked, he noticed his model’s body changing. “Without knowing why, I saw my model changing. I modified my contours, naively following the successive transformations of ever-amplifying forms. One day I learned that she was pregnant; then I understood… It certainly hadn’t occurred to me to take a pregnant woman as my model for Eve; an accident-happy for me-gave her to me, and it aided the character of the figure singularly”.

The result was a sculpture that is both powerful and unfinished. The model’s pregnancy forced her to stop posing, leaving Rodin with an incomplete figure. Yet, in this incompleteness, Rodin found a new kind of truth-a raw, honest depiction of awakening, shame, and the vulnerability of new beginnings.

Artistic Analysis: Form, Emotion, and the Unfinished

Rodin’s Eve is a life-size nude, standing awkwardly, her arms crossed over her chest and her head bowed. The figure twists in a gesture that is both defensive and self-embracing, as if trying to shield herself from the gaze of the world. The pose distorts the classical “contrapposto” or weight-shift position, creating a sense of tension and movement.

The surface of the sculpture is rough, almost unfinished-a deliberate choice by Rodin. Unlike the smooth, idealized nudes of classical tradition, Eve is alive with the marks of the artist’s hand. The muscles of the loins and sides are modeled with anatomical precision, but the overall effect is one of emotional, not just physical, intensity. The figure is rooted in the earth, closed and still, yet on the verge of transformation.

Rodin’s approach shocked critics when the sculpture was first exhibited. Eve was seen as too real, too flesh-and-blood, too vulnerable. Some viewers were perplexed by its lack of finish, its awkward pose, and its refusal to conform to conventional standards of beauty. Yet, others recognized its power: “One cannot imagine a more expressive and powerful silhouette,” wrote Louis de Fourcaud in the Gazette de Beaux-Arts.

Eve’s Moment: Shame, Remorse, and the Birth of Self-Awareness

Eve is caught in the moment after the Fall-after the knowledge of good and evil, after the loss of innocence, after the awakening to self and shame. Her body is twisted in suffering, her face imprisoned within a gesture of anguish. She is both voluptuous and penitent, both strong and shy.

This moment is universal. Every leader, every creator, every human being knows the experience of awakening to a new reality-of seeing oneself clearly, stripped of illusions. It is a moment of shame, but also of possibility. The old self has died; the new self is not yet born.

For leaders, this is the moment when the ordeal gives way to insight. The pain of failure, loss, or crisis is still present, but it is now joined by a new awareness-a sense of what is possible, a glimpse of one’s unique gifts, a willingness to step forward in a new way.

The Creator Archetype: Rebirth, Creativity, and New Possibilities

In the Hero’s Journey, the reward is not always material. More often, it is a deeper understanding of self and purpose-a new power, a new vision, a new sense of possibility. This is the stage of the creator archetype: the part of us that can shape reality, not just endure it.

Rodin’s Eve embodies this archetype. She is not just a figure of shame or remorse; she is also a figure of awakening, of creative potential, of the courage to begin again. Her pose, both shy and strong, suggests the complexity of embracing one’s power-the difficulty of stepping into the light after a fall, the challenge of using one’s gifts in service of something greater.

For leaders, this is the moment of creative emergence. It is the realization that your unique gifts-your insights, your strengths, your passions-are not just for you, but for others. It is the courage to use what you have learned, to create value, to serve your team or organization in a new way.

The Unfinished as a Metaphor: Embracing Imperfection

One of the most striking aspects of Rodin’s Eve is its unfinished quality. The model’s pregnancy forced Rodin to stop before the sculpture was complete, leaving rough details and an obvious mark from the metal supporting strap on the right foot. Some critics saw this as a flaw; others recognized it as a profound statement.

In leadership and creativity, the unfinished is not a weakness, but a strength. The willingness to show up, to act, to create-even when you are not fully ready, when you do not have all the answers-is the essence of courage. The unfinished is the space of possibility, the invitation to growth, the openness to change.

Rodin’s Eve reminds us that we are always works in progress. The journey is never complete; the reward is not a final destination, but an ongoing process of becoming.

The Influence of Michelangelo and the Renaissance

Rodin was deeply influenced by the art of the Renaissance, especially Michelangelo. The pose of Eve recalls Michelangelo’s marble Captives in the Louvre and Masaccio’s Expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Like Michelangelo, Rodin sought to capture the emotional truth of his subjects, not just their physical form.

Rodin’s willingness to leave the figure unfinished is also a nod to Michelangelo, whose own sculptures often remain in a state of partial completion. For both artists, the unfinished is a metaphor for the human condition: we are always in the process of becoming, always caught between what we were and what we might be.

The Reward in Leadership: Insight, Power, and New Self

For leaders, the reward that follows the ordeal is rarely a trophy or a title. More often, it is an internal transformation-a new sense of self, a new understanding of purpose, a new power to create.

This reward may take many forms:

• The insight gained from failure or crisis
• The discovery of unique gifts or strengths
• The courage to act in new ways
• The willingness to serve others with authenticity and creativity

Rodin’s Eve is a visual metaphor for this emergence. Her pose is both defensive and open, both shy and strong. She is caught in the moment of awakening-aware of her vulnerability, but also of her power.

The reward is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. It is the moment when you realize that the ordeal has changed you, that you are no longer who you were, and that you have something new to offer the world.

The Complexity of Embracing Power: Shame and Strength

Eve is a study in complexity. Her body is voluptuous, yet she covers herself in shame. Her pose is strong, yet she turns inward, as if afraid to be seen. This duality is at the heart of the reward stage: the difficulty of embracing one’s power after a fall, the challenge of stepping into the light after a period of darkness.

For leaders, this is a familiar struggle. The experience of failure, loss, or crisis can leave us feeling exposed, uncertain, and hesitant to claim our gifts. Yet, it is precisely this vulnerability that makes the reward possible. The willingness to be seen, to act, to create-even when you feel unfinished or unworthy-is the essence of leadership.

Rodin’s Eve invites us to embrace this complexity. The reward is not a simple victory, but a nuanced awakening-a recognition of both our limitations and our possibilities.

The Role of Remorse and Reflection

Rodin’s Eve is often described as a “physical manifesto of remorse”. Her body is twisted in suffering, her face imprisoned within a gesture of anguish. Yet, this remorse is not paralyzing; it is the beginning of self-awareness, the first step toward transformation.

For leaders, remorse and reflection are essential. The willingness to acknowledge mistakes, to feel regret, to learn from experience, is the foundation of growth. The reward is not the absence of failure, but the ability to use failure as a source of insight and strength.

Rodin’s sculpture reminds us that remorse is not the end of the story. It is the moment of awakening, the turning point that makes new possibilities possible.

The Awakening to New Possibilities

Emerging from the ordeal, the hero is changed. The world is the same, but the hero is not. New possibilities emerge-new ways of seeing, acting, and creating.

For leaders, this is the moment when you realize that the crisis has given you something valuable:

• A deeper understanding of yourself and others
• A renewed sense of purpose
• The courage to try new approaches
• The willingness to serve in new ways

Rodin’s Eve is a symbol of this awakening. Her pose is tentative, but her presence is powerful. She stands at the threshold of a new beginning, aware of her vulnerability, but ready to step forward.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• What is your unique gift as a leader?
  Reflect on the strengths, insights, and passions that set you apart. What have you discovered about yourself through the ordeal?
• How can you use it to create value for others?
  Consider how your gifts can serve your team, organization, or community. What new possibilities have emerged for you?
• What new possibilities have emerged for you?
  Think about the opportunities that have arisen from your journey. How can you act on them with courage and creativity?

Exercise: Claiming Your Leadership Gift

Sketch or describe your “leadership gift.” Reflect on how you can use it to serve your team or organization.

• Visualize the strengths, insights, or passions that have emerged from your ordeal.
• Create a sketch, a list, or a written description of your unique gifts.
• Reflect on how you can use these gifts to create value for others-to inspire, to support, to innovate, to lead.
• Set an intention: How will you act on these possibilities in the days and weeks ahead?

The Legacy of Eve: Lessons for Leaders

Rodin’s Eve is more than a depiction of shame or remorse; it is a meditation on the power of awakening, the courage to begin again, and the creative potential of the unfinished. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were in Rodin’s time:

• Awakening follows ordeal: The greatest insights and gifts often emerge from moments of crisis or loss.
• Vulnerability is strength: The willingness to be seen, to act, to create-even when you feel unfinished or unworthy-is the essence of leadership.
• Remorse is the beginning of transformation: The ability to reflect, to feel regret, and to learn from experience is the foundation of growth.
• The reward is ongoing: The journey is never complete; the reward is not a final destination, but an ongoing process of becoming.

Conclusion: Embracing the Reward, Seizing the Sword

As you stand before Rodin’s Eve, let yourself feel the complexity of the moment-shame, awakening, vulnerability, and power. Reflect on your own journey-the ordeal you have survived, the gifts you have discovered, the new possibilities that have emerged.

The reward is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. It is the moment when you claim your power, embrace your gifts, and step forward to create value for others.

The journey continues. The sword is in your hand. What will you create next?

10. The Road Back – “The Cathedral”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Hero’s Journey Perspective:
The journey is not over. The hero must return to the world, transformed. The Cathedral (1908) is a sculpture of two right hands, almost touching, forming an arch.

This stage is about the “ruler” archetype: vision, structure, and legacy. The hands suggest collaboration, support, and the building of something greater than oneself. For leaders, this is the time to integrate your learning and share it with others.

The road back is often challenging. You may face resistance or doubt. But you return with new wisdom and the responsibility to lead differently.

Questions:

• What new vision do you bring back to your team or organization?
• How will you lead differently now?
• What legacy do you wish to build?

Exercise:
Draft a “leadership manifesto” outlining your renewed vision and values. Share it with someone you trust.

Here comes the extended version

Here is an in-depth, extended exploration (approx. 4000 words) of The Road Back – “The Cathedral” by Auguste Rodin, weaving together art history, symbolism, and the Hero’s Journey, especially as it relates to leadership, integration, legacy, and the “ruler” archetype. This narrative draws from your provided sources and expands on the psychological, emotional, and creative dimensions of this pivotal stage.

The Road Back – “The Cathedral”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: The Return Journey

Every hero’s journey, whether mythic or modern, contains a moment of return. After the ordeal, after the reward, the hero must make their way back to the world they left behind. But the journey is not over. The return is often as challenging as the quest itself, for the hero is changed, and the world may not be ready for that change. Joseph Campbell called this stage The Road Back: the moment when the hero, transformed by their experiences, must bring their new wisdom, vision, and power back to the community.

For leaders, this is the stage of integration and legacy. It is the time when you must take what you have learned-your insights, your new sense of self, your creative gifts-and apply them to the world around you. The “ruler” archetype awakens: the part of you that seeks to build, to structure, to lead, and to leave something lasting behind. The road back is often fraught with resistance, doubt, and the temptation to retreat. But it is also the moment of greatest possibility-the chance to shape the future, to inspire others, and to create a legacy greater than yourself.

No work of art captures the complexity and hope of this return more powerfully than Auguste Rodin’s The Cathedral (1908). This sculpture of two right hands, almost touching, forming an arch, is both simple and profound-a meditation on collaboration, support, and the building of something sacred and enduring.

The Sculpture: Two Hands, One Vision

The Cathedral is a study in paradox. It is at once intimate and monumental, abstract and deeply human, fragile and strong. Conceived in 1908 and originally carved in stone, the sculpture consists of two right hands-belonging to two different figures-reaching toward each other, their fingertips barely touching. The hands curve upward, forming a pointed arch reminiscent of the rib vaults found in Gothic cathedrals.

Rodin was fascinated by the expressive power of the human hand. Throughout his career, he created a series of sculptures focused on hands, exploring their capacity to convey emotion, intention, and connection. In The Cathedral, he distilled this exploration to its essence: two hands, suspended in space, creating a sanctuary between them.

The gesture is ambiguous. Are the hands coming together in prayer? Are they reaching out in support, in blessing, in collaboration? The space between them is as important as the hands themselves-a void that invites the viewer to enter, to imagine, to participate. The sculpture is both a physical object and a metaphorical space-a cathedral built not of stone, but of human touch, intention, and relationship.

Rodin’s Inspiration: Gothic Architecture and the Sacred

Rodin’s fascination with Gothic cathedrals was lifelong. He saw in their soaring arches, intricate vaults, and luminous spaces a testament to the power of collective vision and craftsmanship. In 1914, he published a book on the Gothic cathedrals of France, celebrating their beauty and spiritual significance.

The Cathedral was originally titled The Ark of the Covenant, but Rodin renamed it after publishing his book-a nod to the rib vaulting found in Gothic churches. The form of the sculpture echoes the pointed arches and soaring spaces of these cathedrals, but it also suggests something more personal: the sacred space created when two people come together in collaboration, support, or prayer.

Rodin believed that the gesture of hands raised in prayer gave rise to the pointed arch, the most important element of Gothic cathedral architecture. For him, the cathedral was not just a building, but a symbol of the human capacity to create, to aspire, and to connect with the divine. In The Cathedral, he translated this vision into the language of the body, suggesting that the sacred is not found only in grand structures, but in the everyday gestures of care, support, and collaboration.

The Ruler Archetype: Vision, Structure, and Legacy

In the Hero’s Journey, the road back is the stage of the ruler archetype. The ruler is the part of us that seeks to build, to structure, to lead, and to leave something lasting behind. The ruler is not a tyrant, but a steward-one who takes responsibility for the well-being of the community, who integrates learning into action, and who creates systems that endure.

For leaders, this is the moment when you return from your journey of transformation and face the challenge of applying what you have learned. It is the time to articulate a new vision, to build structures that support growth, and to inspire others to join you in creating something greater than yourself.

Rodin’s The Cathedral is a visual metaphor for this stage. The two hands, reaching toward each other, suggest collaboration, partnership, and the building of something sacred and enduring. The space between them is the space of possibility-the potential for new structures, new relationships, new legacies.

Collaboration and Support: Building Together

One of the most powerful aspects of The Cathedral is its emphasis on collaboration. The sculpture is not a single hand, but two-each belonging to a different figure, each reaching out to the other. The hands do not grasp or dominate; they hover, almost touching, creating a space of mutual respect and support.

This gesture is a reminder that leadership is not a solitary endeavor. The road back is not walked alone. The most enduring legacies are those built in collaboration with others-with colleagues, teams, communities, and partners. The cathedral is not the work of a single architect, but the collective achievement of many hands, each contributing their skill, vision, and labor.

For leaders, this means recognizing the importance of partnership, of shared vision, of support. It means creating structures that empower others, that invite participation, that honor the contributions of all. The space between the hands is the space of dialogue, of negotiation, of creative tension-the space where new possibilities are born.

The Sacred and the Human: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary

Rodin’s The Cathedral is a meditation on the sacredness of the human. By rendering faith “human,” Rodin suggests that the cathedral is not just a grandiose symbol, but a personal and fragile sanctuary for exploring life, death, and spirituality. The hands, with their delicate touch and expressive form, evoke the preciousness of life and the power of human connection.

Traditionally, the word “cathedral” evokes a religious sanctuary-a place set apart for contemplation, worship, and the pursuit of meaning. But in The Cathedral, Rodin suggests a new idea: that the sacred is found not only in grand buildings, but in the everyday gestures of care, support, and collaboration. The body itself becomes a temple, a space for encounter, a cathedral of flesh and spirit.

This is a profound lesson for leaders. The road back is not just about building grand structures or achieving great things; it is about honoring the sacredness of the everyday, the importance of small gestures, the power of human connection. Leadership is not just about vision and strategy, but about the daily work of supporting, empowering, and caring for others.

The Challenge of Return: Resistance and Doubt

The road back is often challenging. The hero, transformed by their journey, may face resistance, skepticism, or misunderstanding from those who have not shared the same experiences. The world may be reluctant to change, to accept new ideas, to embrace new structures.

For leaders, this is a familiar challenge. Returning to your team or organization with new insights, new vision, or new ways of working can be met with doubt, fear, or inertia. The temptation is to retreat, to give up, to revert to old patterns. But the responsibility of leadership is to persist-to integrate your learning, to share your vision, and to build structures that support growth and transformation.

Rodin’s The Cathedral offers a model for this challenge. The hands do not grasp or force; they reach, they invite, they create space. The arch they form is strong, but it is also open-an invitation to enter, to participate, to co-create. The leader’s task is not to impose, but to inspire; not to dominate, but to empower; not to build alone, but to build together.

The Space Between: Emptiness, Possibility, and the Unknown

One of the most striking features of The Cathedral is the space between the hands. This empty space is not a void, but a place of possibility-a sanctuary for the imagination, a space for encounter, a threshold between what is and what could be.

In Gothic architecture, the vaults and arches create spaces that are both protective and open, both grounded and aspiring. The cathedral is a place where the earthly and the divine meet, where the individual and the community come together, where the past and the future are held in tension.

For leaders, the space between is the space of possibility. It is the place where new ideas can take root, where dialogue can flourish, where creativity can emerge. It is also the space of uncertainty, of risk, of the unknown. The leader’s challenge is to hold this space-to protect it, to nurture it, to invite others into it.

Rodin’s sculpture reminds us that the most important work of leadership is often invisible-the creation of spaces where others can grow, where new structures can be built, where legacy can be forged.

The Integration of Learning: Wisdom in Action

The road back is the time to integrate learning-to translate insight into action, to embody new values, to lead differently. The hero returns not as the person they were, but as someone changed by their journey. The challenge is to share this transformation with others, to build structures that reflect new wisdom, to create a legacy that endures.

For leaders, this means articulating a renewed vision-a clear sense of purpose, direction, and values. It means building systems and structures that support this vision, that empower others to participate, that create space for growth and innovation. It means leading not just by example, but by invitation-encouraging others to join in the work of building something greater than themselves.

Rodin’s The Cathedral is a metaphor for this integration. The hands, reaching toward each other, suggest the coming together of different perspectives, the blending of strengths, the creation of something new. The arch they form is both a shelter and a gateway-a place of safety and a threshold to new possibilities.

The Legacy of the Cathedral: Building for the Future

The cathedral, in both its literal and metaphorical sense, is a symbol of legacy. It is a structure built to endure, to inspire, to serve generations yet unborn. The builders of Gothic cathedrals knew that they would not live to see their work completed, but they labored nonetheless, driven by a vision of something greater than themselves.

For leaders, legacy is not just about personal achievement, but about creating systems, structures, and cultures that will outlast you. It is about empowering others, building capacity, and leaving behind something of value. The road back is the time to ask: What legacy do I wish to build? What structures will support the growth and flourishing of others? How can I ensure that my work endures?

Rodin’s The Cathedral is a reminder that legacy is built not by solitary effort, but by collaboration, support, and the creation of spaces where others can thrive. The hands, reaching toward each other, invite us to participate in the work of building, to contribute our gifts, to join in the creation of something sacred and enduring.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• What new vision do you bring back to your team or organization?
  Reflect on the insights, values, and possibilities that have emerged from your journey. What do you see now that you did not see before? What is your renewed sense of purpose?
• How will you lead differently now?
  Consider the ways in which your experiences have changed you. What new behaviors, practices, or structures will you put in place? How will you invite others to participate in the work of building?
• What legacy do you wish to build?
  Think about the impact you want to have-the systems, cultures, and relationships you want to leave behind. How will you ensure that your work endures, that your vision is carried forward by others?

Exercise: Drafting Your Leadership Manifesto

Draft a “leadership manifesto” outlining your renewed vision and values. Share it with someone you trust.

• Articulate your vision: What do you want to create? What is your sense of purpose?
• Define your values: What principles will guide your actions? What do you stand for?
• Describe your legacy: What impact do you want to have? What structures or systems will you build to ensure your work endures?
• Invite feedback: Share your manifesto with a trusted colleague, mentor, or friend. Ask for their insights, suggestions, and support.

The Enduring Power of The Cathedral: Lessons for Leaders

Rodin’s The Cathedral is more than a sculpture; it is a meditation on the power of collaboration, the sacredness of the human, and the importance of legacy. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were in Rodin’s time:

• Collaboration is essential: The most enduring legacies are built together, through partnership, support, and shared vision.
• The sacred is found in the everyday: Leadership is not just about grand gestures, but about the daily work of caring, supporting, and empowering others.
• Legacy is built through structure: The systems, cultures, and relationships you create will outlast you. Build with intention, with care, and with a vision for the future.
• The space between is the space of possibility: Create spaces where others can grow, where new ideas can emerge, where legacy can be forged.

Conclusion: Returning as a Builder

As you stand before Rodin’s The Cathedral, let yourself be drawn into the space between the hands-the space of possibility, of collaboration, of legacy. Reflect on your own journey-the insights you have gained, the vision you carry, the structures you wish to build.

The road back is not easy. It is fraught with resistance, doubt, and the temptation to retreat. But it is also the moment of greatest possibility-the chance to shape the future, to inspire others, to create a legacy greater than yourself.

The journey continues. The cathedral is not yet complete. The hands are reaching, inviting, building. What will you create? What legacy will you leave? How will you lead, now that you have returned?

11. Resurrection – “The Hand of God”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Hero’s Journey Perspective:
The final test: can you integrate your learning and truly transform? The Hand of God (1896) is a sculpture of a large hand gently holding two intertwined figures, symbolizing creation and rebirth.

This stage is about the “magician” archetype: transformation, healing, and the power to shape reality. For leaders, it is the moment when you fully embody your new story. You are no longer who you were; you have become the leader you were meant to be.

The hand suggests both support and responsibility. You have the power to create, to heal, to inspire. The resurrection is not the end, but a new beginning.

Questions:

• How have you changed as a leader?
• What new possibilities do you see for yourself and others?
• How will you use your power to create positive change?

Exercise:
Reflect: What limiting belief can you now let go of? What new story will you live as a leader?

Here comes the extended version

Here is an in-depth, extended exploration (approx. 4000 words) of Resurrection – “The Hand of God” by Auguste Rodin, weaving together art history, symbolism, and the Hero’s Journey, especially as it relates to leadership, transformation, and the “magician” archetype. This narrative draws from the provided search results and expands on the psychological, emotional, and creative dimensions of this pivotal stage.

Resurrection – “The Hand of God”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: The Final Test and the Dawn of Transformation

Every hero’s journey, whether mythic or modern, culminates in a moment of profound transformation. After the ordeal, after the reward, there is a final test-a resurrection, in which the hero must integrate all they have learned and become fully themselves. Joseph Campbell called this stage Resurrection: the moment when the hero, reborn from the crucible of crisis, emerges with new power, wisdom, and the ability to shape reality. This is the stage of the “magician” archetype: the force of transformation, healing, and creative mastery.

For leaders, this is the moment of true change. It is the point at which you are no longer who you were at the beginning of your journey. You have faced your fears, confronted your limits, and discovered new strength within yourself. Now, you must embody your new story-using your power not only for yourself, but to inspire, heal, and create positive change for others.

No work of art captures the mystery and possibility of this resurrection more powerfully than Auguste Rodin’s The Hand of God (1896–1902). This marble sculpture, depicting a monumental hand gently cradling two intertwined figures, is both an homage to creation and a meditation on the power to shape life itself. It is a vision of support, responsibility, and the miracle of becoming.

The Sculpture: Creation, Rebirth, and the Magician’s Touch

The Hand of God is a marble sculpture, approximately 80 cm high, created by Rodin between 1896 and 1902 and exhibited today in the Musée Rodin in Paris and other major collections. The composition is striking in its simplicity and depth: from a rough-hewn block of marble emerges a large, right hand, modeled after Rodin’s own. Nestled in the palm of this hand are two small, intertwined human figures-a man and a woman, Adam and Eve, or simply “man” and “woman”-caught in an embrace that suggests both birth and union.

The hand itself is alive with detail: smooth, curvilinear, and full of expressive power. Its fingers gently cradle the figures, supporting them as they emerge from the raw stone. The contrast between the rough, unfinished base and the polished, living forms above is deliberate-a signature of Rodin’s technique and philosophy. The unfinished marble, with visible tool marks and chisel holes, represents the unformed potential of matter, while the hand and figures above symbolize the act of creation, the transformation of chaos into life.

Rodin’s inspiration for this work was deeply rooted in his Christian formation and his reverence for Michelangelo, whose unfinished sculptures often depict figures struggling to emerge from stone. In The Hand of God, Rodin equates the divine act of creation with the artist’s own gesture, suggesting that to create is to participate in the mystery of life itself.

Symbolism and Meaning: The Power to Shape Reality

The symbolism of The Hand of God is rich and multilayered. On one level, it is a direct reference to the biblical story of creation: God forming Adam and Eve from the dust of the earth, breathing life into clay. The hand is the instrument of creation par excellence, the means by which spirit takes form, by which the inchoate becomes real.

But Rodin’s sculpture also speaks to the process of artistic creation. The hand is not only God’s-it is the artist’s, the leader’s, the creator’s. It is the hand that shapes, supports, and brings forth new life from raw material. The unfinished base, with its rough, chiseled texture, reminds us that creation is always a process-a journey from chaos to order, from potential to actuality.

The two figures in the hand are both distinct and united. They represent not only Adam and Eve, but the duality and complementarity of human existence: male and female, self and other, creator and created. Their emergence from the stone is a metaphor for rebirth, for the possibility of new beginnings, for the power of transformation.

The hand itself suggests both support and responsibility. To hold life in your hand is to be entrusted with its care, its growth, its future. It is a reminder that power is not just about control, but about stewardship-the willingness to nurture, to heal, to inspire.

The Magician Archetype: Transformation and Healing

In the Hero’s Journey, the resurrection is the stage of the magician archetype. The magician is the force of transformation, healing, and creative mastery. The magician does not merely endure change-they shape it, channel it, and use it to create new realities.

For leaders, this is the moment when you fully embody your new story. You are no longer defined by your past, your failures, or your limitations. You have integrated your learning, healed your wounds, and discovered your unique power. Now, you must use that power to create positive change-for yourself, for others, and for the world.

Rodin’s The Hand of God is a visual metaphor for this archetype. The hand, with its gentle strength and creative touch, is the magician’s tool-the means by which vision becomes reality, by which potential becomes form. The figures in the hand are not passive-they are in the process of becoming, of being shaped, of being reborn.

The resurrection is not the end of the journey, but a new beginning. It is the moment when you realize that you have the power to create, to heal, to inspire. It is the moment when you step into your true role as a leader, a creator, a magician.

Artistic Analysis: Form, Gesture, and the Unfinished

Rodin’s mastery as a sculptor is evident in every detail of The Hand of God. The hand itself is modeled with anatomical precision, its muscles and tendons rendered in smooth, flowing lines. The gesture is both powerful and tender-a hand that could crush, but instead supports; a hand that could command, but instead creates.

The two figures in the hand are intertwined, their bodies emerging from the stone as if being born. Their forms are delicate, almost embryonic, suggesting both vulnerability and potential. The contrast between the rough, unfinished base and the polished, living forms above is a hallmark of Rodin’s style-a reminder that creation is always a process, that the finished and the unfinished coexist in every act of becoming.

Rodin’s decision to leave parts of the marble rough and unpolished was intentional. It was his signature, a way of honoring the material and the process of creation. The visible tool marks, the unfinished surfaces, the rawness of the stone-all these elements speak to the mystery of transformation, the journey from chaos to order, from potential to actuality.

The sculpture is meant to be viewed from multiple angles, inviting the viewer to move around it, to see the hand and figures from different perspectives. This dynamic quality mirrors the process of transformation itself-a journey that is never fixed, never complete, always in motion.

The Integration of Learning: Embodying the New Story

The resurrection is not just a moment of insight or revelation-it is a process of integration. It is the time when the hero must embody their new story, living out the lessons they have learned, using their power to create positive change.

For leaders, this means moving beyond theory and intention to action and embodiment. It means using your new wisdom, strength, and creativity to shape reality-to inspire others, to build new structures, to heal old wounds, to create a legacy.

Rodin’s The Hand of God is a metaphor for this integration. The hand does not merely hold the figures-it shapes them, supports them, brings them into being. The process is ongoing, never complete. The leader, like the artist, is always in the act of creation, always shaping and being shaped by the world.

The resurrection is the moment when you realize that you are the creator of your own story. You have the power to choose, to act, to make a difference. You are no longer defined by your limitations, but by your possibilities.

Support and Responsibility: The Leader’s Touch

The hand in Rodin’s sculpture is both a symbol of support and a reminder of responsibility. To hold life in your hand is to be entrusted with its care, its growth, its future. The leader’s touch is not just about control or authority-it is about stewardship, about the willingness to nurture, to heal, to inspire.

For leaders, this means recognizing the impact of your actions, the influence of your words, the power of your presence. It means using your power not for self-aggrandizement, but for the good of others. It means being willing to support, to guide, to lift up those who are emerging, those who are becoming.

Rodin’s hand is gentle, but strong. It cradles the figures, allowing them to grow, to become, to take shape. The leader’s touch is the same-a balance of strength and gentleness, of guidance and freedom, of support and empowerment.

Creation and Rebirth: The Cycle of Transformation

The Hand of God is a meditation on creation and rebirth. The figures in the hand are not static-they are in the process of becoming, of emerging from the stone, of being born into new life. The hand is the catalyst, the agent of transformation, the means by which potential becomes reality.

For leaders, the resurrection is the moment of creative power. It is the realization that you have the ability to shape the future, to bring forth new possibilities, to create something that did not exist before. It is the moment when you step into your role as a creator, a magician, a shaper of reality.

The process of creation is ongoing, never complete. The leader, like the artist, is always in the act of becoming, always shaping and being shaped by the world. The resurrection is not the end of the journey, but a new beginning-a cycle of continual growth, transformation, and renewal.

Healing and Inspiration: The Power to Uplift

The magician archetype is not only about creation, but about healing and inspiration. The leader who has integrated their learning, who has emerged from the ordeal transformed, has the power to heal old wounds, to inspire new growth, to bring hope to others.

Rodin’s The Hand of God is a symbol of this healing power. The hand cradles the figures, offering support, protection, and care. The act of creation is also an act of healing-a way of mending what was broken, of bringing life to what was lifeless, of inspiring others to become their best selves.

For leaders, this means using your power to uplift others-to encourage, to mentor, to support, to inspire. It means recognizing the wounds and struggles of those you lead, and offering a hand to help them rise. The resurrection is not just about your own transformation, but about your ability to bring transformation to others.

The Hand as a Symbol: Universality and Timelessness

Rodin’s choice of the hand as the central motif of this sculpture is deeply significant. The hand is one of the most expressive organs of the body, capable of conveying a vast range of emotions and intentions. It is the means by which we create, communicate, comfort, and connect.

In The Hand of God, the hand is both universal and personal. It is God’s hand, the artist’s hand, the leader’s hand, the hand of every creator who shapes reality. It is a symbol of agency, of power, of responsibility, of care.

The universality of the hand makes the sculpture timeless. It speaks to all cultures, all traditions, all people. It is a reminder that the power to create, to heal, to inspire is not limited to a select few-it is the birthright of every human being.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• How have you changed as a leader?
  Reflect on the journey you have taken-the challenges you have faced, the lessons you have learned, the ways in which you have grown. What is different about you now? How do you see yourself, your work, your world?
• What new possibilities do you see for yourself and others?
  Consider the opportunities that have emerged from your transformation. What can you create, build, or inspire that was not possible before? How can you use your power to open new doors for others?
• How will you use your power to create positive change?
  Think about the impact you want to have-the legacy you want to leave, the difference you want to make. How will you use your strength, your wisdom, your creativity to heal, to inspire, to uplift?

Exercise: Letting Go and Living a New Story

Reflect: What limiting belief can you now let go of? What new story will you live as a leader?

• Identify the beliefs, fears, or patterns that have held you back in the past. What have you learned from your journey that allows you to release them?
• Articulate the new story you want to live-the vision, values, and commitments that will guide your leadership going forward.
• Write a letter to yourself, affirming your new story and your commitment to use your power for positive change. Keep this letter as a reminder of your transformation.

The Legacy of The Hand of God: Lessons for Leaders

Rodin’s The Hand of God is more than a sculpture; it is a meditation on the power of transformation, the responsibility of creation, and the miracle of becoming. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were in Rodin’s time:

• Transformation is ongoing: The journey is never complete. Each ending is a new beginning, each resurrection a new cycle of growth.
• Power is responsibility: The ability to create, to heal, to inspire is a gift to be used wisely, with care and compassion.
• Healing is possible: The wounds of the past can be healed, the broken made whole, the lost found. The leader’s touch can uplift, support, and renew.
• Inspiration is contagious: When you embody your new story, you inspire others to do the same. Your transformation becomes a catalyst for the transformation of others.

Conclusion: The Miracle of Becoming

As you stand before Rodin’s The Hand of God, let yourself feel the weight and wonder of the moment. You have come through the ordeal, claimed your reward, and now stand at the threshold of a new beginning. The hand that cradles you is both your own and the world’s-a symbol of support, responsibility, and creative power.

The resurrection is not the end of your journey, but the dawn of a new story. You are no longer who you were; you have become the leader you were meant to be. Use your power to create, to heal, to inspire. Let your touch be gentle, your vision bold, your legacy enduring.

The journey continues. The hand is open. What will you create next?

12. Return with the Elixir – “The Secret”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Hero’s Journey Perspective:
The hero returns home, bringing back the “elixir”-the gift of wisdom to share with the world. The Secret (c. 1910) is a sculpture of two figures, one whispering into the ear of the other, suggesting the transmission of knowledge and experience.

This stage is about the “sage” and “everyman” archetypes: sharing your story, inspiring others, and contributing to the greater good. The journey has changed you, but its true value lies in what you give back.

As you stand before The Secret, consider how your story can help others. Your journey is not just for you-it is for your team, your organization, your community.

Questions:

• What is the most important lesson from your journey?
• How will you inspire others with your story?
• What legacy do you wish to leave?

Exercise:
Write your leadership story as a letter to your future self or share it with a colleague. What wisdom will you pass on?

Here comes the extended version: 

Here is an in-depth, extended exploration (approx. 4000 words) of Return with the Elixir – “The Secret” by Auguste Rodin, weaving together art history, symbolism, and the Hero’s Journey, especially as it relates to leadership, wisdom-sharing, and the “sage” and “everyman” archetypes. This narrative draws from your provided sources and expands on the psychological, emotional, and creative dimensions of this culminating stage.

Return with the Elixir – “The Secret”

Artist: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)

Introduction: The Hero’s Homecoming

Every journey, whether mythic or modern, ultimately circles back to its origin. The hero, having ventured into the unknown, faced ordeals, seized the reward, and undergone transformation, must return home. But this return is not a mere homecoming; it is the final, essential act of the Hero’s Journey. Joseph Campbell called this stage Return with the Elixir: the moment when the hero, changed by their adventure, brings back the “elixir”-the gift of wisdom, healing, or insight-to share with the world.

For leaders, this is the stage of legacy and contribution. It is the time to share your story, to inspire others, and to use your hard-won wisdom for the greater good. The journey has changed you, but its deepest value lies in what you give back-to your team, your organization, your community, and the world.

No work of art captures the intimacy, mystery, and power of this act of sharing more beautifully than Auguste Rodin’s The Secret (c. 1910). This sculpture, depicting two figures-one whispering into the ear of the other-suggests the transmission of knowledge, the sharing of experience, and the sacredness of human connection. It is a meditation on the power of story, the responsibility of wisdom, and the enduring legacy of the journey.

The Sculpture: Whispered Wisdom and the Mystery of Transmission

The Secret is a bronze sculpture, modeled around 1910 and cast in several versions in the years following Rodin’s death. The piece is intimate in scale-about 33.5 inches high in its larger version, and just under 5 inches in some studies. In its most familiar form, two figures-often interpreted as women-are shown in close proximity, one leaning in to whisper into the ear of the other. The gesture is gentle and conspiratorial, the faces nearly touching, the bodies entwined in a pose that suggests both trust and vulnerability.

Rodin was fascinated by the expressive power of the human body, and in The Secret, he distilled this fascination to its essence: the act of sharing, of confiding, of passing on something precious. The “secret” itself is never revealed; it is held in the space between the figures, in the tension of the whisper, in the mystery of what is given and what is received.

Some versions and studies of The Secret focus on hands-two right hands holding an invisible object, or forming an arch, reminiscent of Rodin’s The Cathedral. In these works, the hands are the vehicles of transmission, the means by which the intangible is made tangible, the invisible made visible. The space between the hands, like the space between the whispering figures, is meaningful and mysterious-a void filled with possibility.

Rodin’s Obsession with Hands: The Creative Force

Throughout his career, Rodin was preoccupied with hands as the creative, shaping force between the world of nature and the world of artistic vision2. Hands in his oeuvre are full of expression, power, and emotion. They are the tools by which the artist shapes clay, the means by which humans touch, comfort, and connect.

In The Secret, the hands-whether attached to figures or isolated-are eloquent. They hold, they protect, they transmit. The act of holding a secret, of passing on wisdom, is both a privilege and a responsibility. The hands are gentle, but strong; open, but protective. They suggest that the act of sharing is itself a creative act-a way of shaping reality, of building legacy, of ensuring that what is learned is not lost.

The Sage and Everyman Archetypes: Wisdom and Contribution

In the Hero’s Journey, the return with the elixir is the stage of the sage and everyman archetypes. The sage is the keeper of wisdom, the teacher, the guide who shares what they have learned for the benefit of others. The everyman is the ordinary person who, through their journey, discovers the extraordinary within themselves-and, in return, helps others see the same possibility.

For leaders, this stage is about sharing your story, inspiring others, and contributing to the greater good. It is about recognizing that your journey was never just for you. The insights, strengths, and gifts you have gained are meant to be shared-to uplift, to empower, to heal, to teach.

Rodin’s The Secret is a visual metaphor for this act of sharing. The whisper is both intimate and universal-a reminder that wisdom is passed on not in grand gestures, but in quiet moments of connection. The secret is not a possession, but a gift; not a burden, but a legacy.

The Power of Story: Sharing the Elixir

The return with the elixir is, above all, about story. The hero’s journey is not complete until it is told, until its lessons are shared, until its wisdom becomes part of the collective memory. The story is the elixir-the medicine, the gift, the healing that the hero brings back.

For leaders, storytelling is a powerful tool. It is how we make sense of our experiences, how we inspire others, how we create meaning and connection. The story of your journey-your struggles, your failures, your triumphs, your transformation-is a source of wisdom for others. It is a guide, a beacon, a source of hope.

Rodin’s The Secret invites us to consider the intimacy and responsibility of storytelling. The whisper is a private act, but its impact can be profound. The story you share may change a life, spark a movement, or plant the seed of transformation in another. The secret is not to be hoarded, but to be given away.

The Mystery of the Secret: What Is Shared, What Is Held

One of the most intriguing aspects of The Secret is its ambiguity. What is the secret? Is it a piece of knowledge, a lesson, an experience, a hope, a warning? Is it something joyful or sorrowful, sacred or mundane? Rodin leaves this question unanswered, inviting the viewer to project their own meaning onto the work.

This ambiguity is essential. The “elixir” that the hero brings back is not always a simple answer or a clear solution. Sometimes, it is a question, a possibility, a way of seeing. The secret may be different for each person; its meaning may change over time.

For leaders, this is a reminder that wisdom is not about certainty, but about openness. The most valuable lessons are often those that cannot be easily articulated, but must be lived, experienced, and shared in a relationship. The secret is not a formula, but a process-a way of being, a way of connecting, a way of giving.

The Act of Confiding: Trust, Vulnerability, and Relationship

The gesture of whispering a secret is an act of trust. It requires vulnerability-on the part of the one who shares, and the one who receives. It is an invitation to intimacy, a risk, a leap of faith.

Rodin’s sculpture captures this moment of trust with exquisite sensitivity. The figures are close, their bodies turned toward each other, their faces nearly touching. The act of sharing is both tender and daring-a moment of exposure, but also of connection.

For leaders, trust is the foundation of all meaningful relationships. The willingness to confide, to share, to be vulnerable is what builds loyalty, inspires commitment, and creates a culture of openness. The secret is not just what is shared, but the act of sharing itself-the creation of a bond, the affirmation of relationship, the building of community.

The Responsibility of Wisdom: Giving Back

The return with the elixir is not just a privilege; it is a responsibility. The hero’s journey is not complete until its gifts are shared, its lessons given away, its wisdom made available to others.

For leaders, this means recognizing that your story is not just for you. The insights you have gained, the strengths you have developed, the gifts you have discovered are meant to be shared. Your journey may inspire others, guide them through their own challenges, or help them see new possibilities.

Rodin’s The Secret is a reminder that wisdom is not a possession, but a trust. The act of sharing is an act of service, a way of contributing to the greater good, a way of ensuring that what you have learned endures beyond your own life.

The Elixir as Legacy: What Will You Leave Behind?

The ultimate question of the return is one of legacy. What will you leave behind? What impact will your journey have on others? How will your story continue to shape the world after you are gone?

Rodin’s The Secret suggests that legacy is built not in grand monuments, but in the quiet acts of sharing, teaching, and connecting. The whisper may seem small, but its ripples can be vast. The secret you share may be the spark that ignites a new journey, the seed that grows into a new story.

For leaders, legacy is not just about achievements or accolades, but about the lives you touch, the wisdom you pass on, the community you build. The return with the elixir is the moment when you become a sage-a guide, a mentor, a source of inspiration for others.

Artistic Analysis: Form, Gesture, and the Unspoken

Rodin’s mastery as a sculptor is evident in every detail of The Secret. The figures are modeled with sensitivity and grace, their bodies entwined in a pose that is both natural and symbolic. The faces are close, the mouths almost touching, the eyes focused on each other. The gesture is intimate, but not erotic; it is the intimacy of trust, of confiding, of sharing what is most precious.

The hands-so important in Rodin’s work-are expressive and protective. In some versions, the hands are the focus, holding an invisible object, forming an arch, creating a space for the secret to be held. The interplay of hands and bodies suggests both the act of giving and the act of receiving-the mutuality of relationship, the reciprocity of wisdom.

The sculpture is meant to be viewed in the round, inviting the viewer to move around it, to see the figures from different angles, to imagine the secret being shared. The ambiguity of the gesture, the mystery of the secret, the intimacy of the moment-all these elements combine to create a work that is both specific and universal, personal and archetypal.

The Secret as a Companion to The Cathedral

The Secret is often considered a companion piece to Rodin’s The Cathedral, another sculpture in which two hands form an arch, creating a space of meaning and mystery1. In both works, the space between is as important as the forms themselves-a void filled with possibility, a sanctuary for encounter, a threshold between what is known and what is yet to be discovered.

This pairing suggests that the act of sharing wisdom is both a building and a revealing. The cathedral is the structure, the space in which community is built, legacy is forged, and meaning is made. The secret is the content, the wisdom, the story that fills the space, that animates the structure, that gives life to the legacy.

For leaders, this is a reminder that legacy is both form and content, both structure and story. The space you create-the culture, the systems, the relationships-is the cathedral. The wisdom you share-the insights, the values, the stories-is the secret. Both are needed; both endure.

Reflection: Questions for Leaders

• What is the most important lesson from your journey?
  Reflect on the insights, strengths, and gifts you have gained. What is the “elixir” you bring back? What wisdom do you have to share?
• How will you inspire others with your story?
  Consider the ways in which your journey can guide, uplift, or encourage others. How will you tell your story? How will you use your experience to serve the greater good?
• What legacy do you wish to leave?
  Think about the impact you want to have-the lives you want to touch, the wisdom you want to pass on, the community you want to build. What will endure after you are gone?

Exercise: Writing Your Leadership Story

Write your leadership story as a letter to your future self or share it with a colleague. What wisdom will you pass on?

• Begin by recalling your journey-the challenges you faced, the lessons you learned, the transformation you underwent.
• Articulate the “elixir”-the insight, value, or gift you have gained.
• Reflect on how you will use this wisdom to inspire, guide, and serve others.
• Set an intention for your legacy: What do you want to be remembered for? What difference do you want to make?
• Share your story with someone you trust, or keep it as a reminder of your journey and your commitment to give back.

The Enduring Power of The Secret: Lessons for Leaders

Rodin’s The Secret is more than a sculpture; it is a meditation on the power of wisdom, the intimacy of sharing, and the responsibility of legacy. Its lessons are as relevant today as they were in Rodin’s time:

• Wisdom is meant to be shared: The journey is not complete until its gifts are given away. The story you tell, the secret you share, the wisdom you pass on-these are your true legacy.
• Intimacy is powerful: The most profound lessons are shared in moments of trust, vulnerability, and connection. The whisper may seem small, but its impact can be vast.
• Legacy is built in relationship: What endures is not just what you achieve, but the lives you touch, the stories you inspire, the community you build.
• The journey is for the greater good: Your transformation is not just for you. The elixir you bring back is meant to heal, to uplift, to empower others.

Conclusion: The Gift of Return

As you stand before Rodin’s The Secret, let yourself feel the intimacy and responsibility of the moment. You have journeyed far, faced ordeals, claimed your reward, and been transformed. Now, you return-not as the person you were, but as a bearer of wisdom, a source of inspiration, a builder of legacy.

The secret you carry is not just for you. It is for your team, your organization, your community. It is the gift of your journey-the story, the insight, the hope that you bring back. Share it generously, wisely, and with love.

The journey continues. The elixir is in your hands. What will you give? What story will you tell? What legacy will you leave?

Conclusion: Create Your Own Legend

As you leave Musée Rodin, remember: you are the storyteller of your own life. The 12 archetypes are inner guides, always available as you face new challenges and opportunities. The story you tell yourself shapes your reality. Will you choose to be the hero or heroine of your own journey?

Here comes the extended version:

Here is an extended, in-depth conclusion (approx. 4000 words) to your leadership journey through the Musée Rodin, drawing on Peter de Kuster’s Hero’s Journey story model, the art of Auguste Rodin, and the power of narrative in leadership. This conclusion synthesizes the lessons of the journey, explores the role of archetypes, and offers practical wisdom for integrating your story into your life, organization, and legacy. It is structured to be reflective, inspiring, and actionable, weaving together insights from the provided sources and the broader field of leadership storytelling.

Conclusion: Create Your Own Legend

I. The Final Steps: Leaving the Musée Rodin

As you step out from the tranquil gardens and luminous galleries of the Musée Rodin, the sculptures you have encountered linger in your mind-not merely as works of art, but as mirrors for your own journey. Each masterpiece has spoken to a different part of you: the innocent, the seeker, the orphan, the sage, the warrior, the everyman, the lover, the destroyer, the creator, the ruler, the magician, and the sage/everyman again. These are not just characters from myth or history; they are living energies, inner guides, and archetypes that reside within you, waiting to be awakened and expressed8.

You have walked through the stages of the Hero’s Journey, not as a passive observer, but as an active participant. You have reflected on your own ordinary world, heard the call to adventure, faced doubts and fears, sought guidance, crossed thresholds, endured tests, risked vulnerability, survived ordeals, claimed your reward, begun the road back, experienced resurrection, and now-at last-you stand at the threshold of return. The journey has changed you, but its true value lies in what you bring back and how you choose to live your story from this day forward.

II. The Storyteller’s Power: Shaping Reality

At the heart of this journey is a profound truth: you are the storyteller of your own life. The story you tell yourself shapes your reality. It influences how you interpret events, how you respond to challenges, how you relate to others, and what you believe is possible for yourself and your world. This is not a metaphor, but a neurological and psychological fact-our brains are wired for narrative. We make sense of our experiences by weaving them into stories, and those stories become the scripts by which we live.

As Peter de Kuster teaches, “Whoever you are-you can lead by using stories to effect change. The right kind of story at the right time can make an audience ‘stunningly vulnerable’ to a new idea”. In organizations, stories are how we spark action, build trust, transmit vision, foster collaboration, overcome resistance, and create lasting change. In our personal lives, stories are how we find meaning, heal wounds, build resilience, and create connection.

The question, then, is not whether you are telling a story, but what story are you telling? Is it a story of limitation or possibility? Of scarcity or abundance? Of fear or courage? Of resignation or creation? The invitation of this journey is to become conscious of your story, to claim authorship, and to choose a narrative that empowers you to live-and lead-heroically.

III. The 12 Archetypes: Inner Guides for a Lifetime

The 12 archetypes you have encountered on this journey are not just stages in a model; they are living energies, inner guides, and patterns of being that have been with humanity since the dawn of time. They appear in myth, art, literature, and religion because they are universal-they reside in the unconscious psychological life of all people everywhere. As Peter de Kuster and other narrative theorists teach, these archetypes are not only within us, but we live in them; they shape our dreams, our actions, our choices, and our destinies.

Each archetype brings a lesson, a challenge, and a gift. The innocent teaches us to trust and hope. The seeker calls us to explore and grow. The orphan invites us to face vulnerability and build resilience. The sage offers wisdom and guidance. The warrior demands courage and action. The everyman reminds us of the power of community. The lover opens us to connection and passion. The destroyer strips away what no longer serves. The creator awakens our power to make and renew. The ruler asks us to build and steward. The magician transforms and heals. And the sage/everyman, in the end, calls us to share our wisdom and serve the greater good.

These archetypes are always available to you. In every new challenge, every transition, every opportunity, you can call upon them as inner guides. They are not fixed roles, but energies you can access, integrate, and express as needed. The mastery of leadership-and of life-is learning to recognize which archetype is needed in the moment, and to embody it with authenticity and skill.

IV. The Gift of the Elixir: Sharing Your Wisdom

The true value of your journey is not in what you have gained for yourself, but in what you bring back to share with others. In the language of the Hero’s Journey, this is the “elixir”-the gift of wisdom, healing, or insight that you now carry. The journey is not complete until you return and offer this gift to your team, your organization, your community, and the world.

This is the stage of the sage and everyman archetypes: sharing your story, inspiring others, and contributing to the greater good. It is the moment when you move from personal growth to collective impact, from self-realization to service. As you stand before Rodin’s The Secret, you are reminded that wisdom is meant to be shared-not hoarded. The whisper of insight, the story of transformation, the lesson learned in the crucible of experience-these are your legacy.

Ask yourself:

• What is the most important lesson from your journey?
• How will you inspire others with your story?
• What legacy do you wish to leave?

The answers to these questions are the seeds of your next chapter.

V. Leadership as Storytelling: From Narrative to Action

Leadership is, at its core, an act of storytelling. The most effective leaders are those who can craft and communicate a compelling narrative-one that ignites action, builds trust, and leads people into the future. But storytelling is not just about words; it is about living your story, embodying your values, and turning narrative into action.

As you leave the Musée Rodin, consider how you will use story in your leadership:

• Motivate others to action: Use narrative to ignite enthusiasm for change and implement new ideas.
• Build trust: Communicate who you are, what you value, and why you can be trusted.
• Transmit vision: Instill organizational purpose and help others see their role in the future.
• Foster collaboration: Use story to get others working together, overcome resistance, and build community.
• Share knowledge: Transmit lessons learned and help others grow from your experience.
• Lead into the future: Create and share your vision, and invite others to join you in building it.

The journey you have taken is not just for your own growth, but for the benefit of all those you lead and serve.

VI. The Ongoing Journey: Innovation, Reflection, and Renewal

The end of this journey is not the end of your story. Every return is also a new beginning. The skills, insights, and archetypes you have cultivated are tools you can use to navigate future challenges, spark innovation, and continue your growth as a leader and as a human being.

Innovation, as Peter de Kuster teaches, is a continual process of asking new questions, breaking myths, and rewriting your story. The Hero’s Journey for Innovators is a model for turning narrative into action, for shaping and optimizing innovation within your organization, and for developing your role as a creative leader. The journey is not static; it is a dynamic, living process that unfolds over a lifetime.

Reflection is essential. Take time to revisit your story, to assess your progress, to celebrate your growth, and to recalibrate your vision. The practice of storytelling is not a one-time event, but a lifelong discipline-a way of making meaning, building resilience, and staying connected to your deepest values and aspirations.

Renewal is the gift of the journey. By engaging with your story, by calling on your inner guides, by sharing your wisdom, you continually renew your sense of purpose, passion, and possibility. You become not just the hero of your own journey, but a source of inspiration and renewal for others.

VII. Practical Wisdom: Applying Your Story in Leadership

How can you apply the lessons of this journey in your daily life and leadership? Here are some practical steps, drawn from Peter de Kuster’s approach and the broader field of narrative leadership:

1. Claim authorship of your story.
   Take responsibility for the narrative you are living. Notice the stories you tell yourself and others. Are they empowering or limiting? Are they aligned with your values and aspirations? If not, rewrite them.
2. Identify your current stage and archetype.
   Where are you on your journey? Which archetype is most active for you now? Which one do you need to call upon? Use the 12 archetypes as a map for navigating change and challenge.
3. Reflect on your leadership challenges as story moments.
   When facing a difficult situation, ask: Is this my call to adventure? My ordeal? My return? What lesson is being offered? What gift can I bring back?
4. Use storytelling to lead change.
   When introducing a new idea, leading a team, or navigating conflict, use story to build trust, spark action, and foster collaboration. Share your own journey honestly and invite others to share theirs.
5. Build a community of storytellers.
   Leadership is not a solo act. Create spaces for others to share their stories, learn from each other, and build collective wisdom. The power of the story is multiplied in community.
6. Integrate your learning into action.
   Turn insight into practice. Use what you have learned to make decisions, solve problems, and create new possibilities. Let your story guide your actions.
7. Revisit and renew your story regularly.
   The journey is ongoing. As you grow and change, so will your story. Make time for reflection, renewal, and recalibration. Stay open to new adventures.

VIII. The Role of Art and Place: Why the Musée Rodin Matters

The setting of your journey-the Musée Rodin-is not incidental. Art has the power to move us, to awaken us, to mirror our deepest truths and aspirations. Rodin’s sculptures are not just objects of beauty; they are embodiments of the archetypes, struggles, and transformations that define the human experience.

By engaging with art in a sacred space, you step out of your routine and into a world of imagination, reflection, and possibility. The museum becomes a sanctuary for your journey-a place where you can see yourself more clearly, connect with universal patterns, and find inspiration for your next chapter.

As you leave, carry with you the memory of the art, the lessons of the archetypes, and the wisdom of your own story. Let them be touchstones for your ongoing journey.

IX. The Invitation: Will You Choose to Be the Hero or Heroine?

The ultimate question of this journey is not rhetorical. Will you choose to be the hero or heroine of your own journey? Will you claim authorship, embrace your inner guides, share your wisdom, and create your own legend?

The choice is yours. The tools are in your hands. The story is waiting to be told.

You may be tempted to fall back on old patterns, to let others define your narrative, to live by default rather than by design. But the invitation of the Hero’s Journey is to step forward with courage, creativity, and compassion-to live your story on purpose, with intention, and in service of something greater than yourself.

X. Your Leadership Manifesto: A Call to Action

As you leave the Musée Rodin, take a moment to draft your own leadership manifesto-a declaration of your vision, values, and commitments for the journey ahead. Share it with someone you trust, revisit it often, and let it guide your actions.

• Vision: What future do you want to create? What story do you want to tell?
• Values: What principles will guide your journey? What matters most to you?
• Commitments: What actions will you take to live your story fully? How will you use your gifts to serve others?
• Legacy: What do you want to leave behind? How will your story inspire and empower those who follow?

Let this manifesto be your compass, your touchstone, your call to adventure.

XI. Final Reflections: The Journey Continues

The journey doesn’t end here. Every ending is a new beginning. The story you have lived is the foundation for the story you will create. The challenges you have faced are the training ground for the opportunities to come. The wisdom you have gained is the elixir you bring back to share.

As Peter de Kuster teaches, “The story you tell yourself shapes your reality. Will you choose to be the hero or heroine of your own journey?”

The answer is yours to give. The legend is yours to create.

XII. A Personal Note: Gratitude and Encouragement

Thank you for embarking on this journey-through the Musée Rodin, through the stages of the Hero’s Journey, through the landscapes of your own heart and mind. May you continue to walk with courage, curiosity, and compassion. May you find strength in your inner guides, wisdom in your story, and joy in the journey.

Remember: you are the storyteller of your own life. The 12 archetypes are always with you, ready to guide, challenge, and inspire. The story you tell yourself is the most powerful tool you possess. Use it wisely. Live it boldly. Share it generously.

Go forth and create your own legend.

The hero’s journey in the Rodin Museum Questionnaire comes  here: 

Here is a comprehensive, in-depth Hero’s Journey Questionnaire (approx. 4000 words) tailored for visitors to the Musée Rodin, inspired by Peter de Kuster’s story model, the 12 stages, and the archetypes embodied in Rodin’s masterpieces. This questionnaire is designed as a self-guided, reflective companion for anyone seeking to explore their own life story and leadership through the lens of art, myth, and self-inquiry-because, as you walk these halls, you are indeed the storyteller of your own life, and you can create your own legend… or not.

The Hero’s Journey Questionnaire for Musée Rodin

Introduction: Why Take This Journey?

Welcome to the Musée Rodin, a sanctuary of art, story, and transformation. This is not just a museum visit-it’s an invitation to embark on your own Hero’s Journey. Inspired by the storytelling wisdom of Peter de Kuster and the mythic insights of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung, this questionnaire is your guide to exploring the 12 archetypal stages of the Hero’s Journey, as embodied in Auguste Rodin’s iconic sculptures.

As you move from room to room, garden to gallery, you’ll encounter not only masterpieces of art but also mirrors for your own life. Each stage of the journey is paired with a Rodin artwork and a series of reflective questions-crafted to help you uncover the unconscious influences, choices, and possibilities shaping your personal and professional story.

Take your time. Pause at each stage. Let the art speak to you. Write, sketch, or simply reflect. This is your journey. You are the storyteller. What story are you living? What story do you want to create?

The 12 Stages and Archetypes: Your Self-Discovery Map

Below, you’ll find the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey, each matched with a Rodin masterpiece and a set of questions and exercises. Use these prompts as you move through the museum or as a journaling guide before or after your visit.

1. The Ordinary World – “The Age of Bronze”

Archetype: The Innocent

Rodin’s “The Age of Bronze” stands at the threshold of awakening, capturing the vulnerability and hope of beginnings.

Questions:

• What is your “ordinary world” right now? Describe your daily life, routines, and the environment you find most familiar.
• Where do you feel most comfortable? What do you take for granted?
• What strengths or qualities do you bring to your current context?
• What would you miss if you left this world behind?

Exercise:
List three aspects of your life or work you appreciate most. Reflect on how these have shaped your story so far.

2. The Call to Adventure – “The Thinker”

Archetype: The Seeker

Rodin’s “The Thinker” embodies the restless mind, yearning for growth and meaning.

Questions:

• What is calling you to change or grow in your life or leadership?
• Where do you feel a sense of longing, dissatisfaction, or curiosity?
• What question keeps returning to your mind, demanding attention?
• What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Exercise:
Write down the question that most often occupies your thoughts about your journey. Sit with it in silence for a few minutes. What emotions arise?

3. Refusal of the Call – “The Gates of Hell”

Archetype: The Orphan

Rodin’s “The Gates of Hell” teems with figures caught in torment, symbolizing the chaos and resistance that can overwhelm us when faced with change.

Questions:

• What fears hold you back from embracing change?
• Who or what tells you “you can’t”?
• What is the cost of staying where you are?
• How do you respond when you feel alone or unsupported?

Exercise:
List your top three fears about stepping into the unknown. For each, write a possible outcome if you faced that fear. What might you gain?

4. Meeting the Mentor – “Monument to Balzac”

Archetype: The Sage

Rodin’s “Monument to Balzac” stands as a symbol of creative mastery and guidance.

Questions:

• Who has been a mentor in your life? What qualities made them a mentor for you?
• What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a mentor?
• How do you seek out guidance when you need it?
• What advice would your mentor give you right now?

Exercise:
Write a letter to a mentor (real or imagined), expressing gratitude for their influence on your story. What advice would you seek from them now?

5. Crossing the Threshold – “The Walking Man”

Archetype: The Warrior

Rodin’s “The Walking Man” is dynamic and unfinished, striding forward into the unknown.

Questions:

• What first step can you take toward your new story?
• Where do you need to show courage in your life or leadership?
• What is holding you back from moving forward?
• What does it feel like to move beyond your comfort zone?

Exercise:
Take a symbolic step forward in the gallery. As you do, recall a recent decision where you crossed a threshold in your life or leadership. What did you learn?

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies – “The Burghers of Calais”

Archetype: The Everyman

Rodin’s “The Burghers of Calais” depicts six citizens sacrificing themselves for their city-ordinary people doing extraordinary things together.

Questions:

• Who are your allies and adversaries on your journey?
• What tests or challenges have you faced recently?
• How do you respond to challenge and support others?
• What role does community or teamwork play in your story?

Exercise:
Identify three people who support you and three challenges you face. Write down one action you can take to strengthen your alliances.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave – “The Kiss”

Archetype: The Lover

Rodin’s “The Kiss” is a marble embrace-passionate, vulnerable, and timeless.

Questions:

• What do you most love about your work or life?
• Where do you risk being vulnerable as a leader or as a person?
• How do you connect with others authentically?
• What scares you about pursuing what you love fully?

Exercise:
Share with a partner (or write in your journal) what you most love about your work and what scares you about pursuing it fully.

8. The Ordeal – “Ugolino and His Sons”

Archetype: The Destroyer

Rodin’s “Ugolino and His Sons” is raw, anguished, and haunting-a test of resolve and survival.

Questions:

• When have you faced your greatest challenge as a leader or in your life?
• What did you learn from your darkest hour?
• How did you find the strength to continue?
• What illusions or attachments were stripped away during your ordeal?

Exercise:
Recall a personal or leadership ordeal. Write about the strengths you discovered in yourself. How has this experience shaped your story?

9. Reward (Seizing the Sword) – “Eve”

Archetype: The Creator

Rodin’s “Eve” is a sculpture of awakening and vulnerability, poised between shame and new possibility.

Questions:

• What is your unique gift as a leader or individual?
• How can you use it to create value for others?
• What new possibilities have emerged for you after your ordeal?
• How do you embrace your power and creativity, even when it feels uncomfortable?

Exercise:
Sketch or describe your “leadership gift.” Reflect on how you can use it to serve your team, organization, or community.

10. The Road Back – “The Cathedral”

Archetype: The Ruler

Rodin’s “The Cathedral” is formed by two right hands, almost touching, creating an arch-a symbol of vision, structure, and legacy.

Questions:

• What new vision do you bring back to your team, organization, or life?
• How will you lead or live differently now?
• What legacy do you wish to build?
• How can you integrate your learning and share it with others?

Exercise:
Draft a “leadership manifesto” outlining your renewed vision and values. Share it with someone you trust.

11. Resurrection – “The Hand of God”

Archetype: The Magician

Rodin’s “The Hand of God” is a large hand gently holding two intertwined figures-symbolizing creation, rebirth, and transformation.

Questions:

• How have you changed as a leader or as a person?
• What new possibilities do you see for yourself and others?
• How will you use your power to create positive change?
• What old story or limiting belief can you now let go of?

Exercise:
Reflect: What limiting belief can you now let go of? What new story will you live as a leader or creator?

12. Return with the Elixir – “The Secret”

Archetypes: The Sage and Everyman

Rodin’s “The Secret” shows two figures, one whispering into the ear of the other, suggesting the transmission of wisdom and experience.

Questions:

• What is the most important lesson from your journey?
• How will you inspire others with your story?
• What legacy do you wish to leave behind?
• How can your journey help your team, organization, or community?

Exercise:
Write your leadership story as a letter to your future self or share it with a colleague. What wisdom will you pass on?

Epilogue: Living Your Legend

As you complete this questionnaire, remember: the journey does not end at the museum doors. The story you tell yourself shapes your reality. The 12 archetypes you’ve met in Rodin’s art are always available to guide you as you face new challenges and opportunities. You are the storyteller of your own life. Will you choose to be the hero or heroine of your own journey?

Tips for Using This Questionnaire:

• Take your time. You don’t need to answer every question in one visit.
• Use a journal or sketchbook to capture your thoughts, images, and insights.
• Reflect on your answers over time. Notice how your story evolves.
• Share your journey with others-friends, colleagues, mentors, or fellow travelers.
• Revisit the Musée Rodin or this questionnaire whenever you feel called to a new adventure.

Remember:
You are the artist, the storyteller, and the hero of your own life. The legend you create is yours to shape. The world needs your story.

Appendix: The 12 Stages and Archetypes at a Glance

Stage	Rodin Artwork	Archetype	Key Theme
1. Ordinary World	The Age of Bronze	Innocent	Comfort, beginnings
2. Call to Adventure	The Thinker	Seeker	Longing, questioning
3. Refusal of the Call	The Gates of Hell	Orphan	Fear, resistance
4. Meeting the Mentor	Monument to Balzac	Sage	Guidance, wisdom
5. Crossing the Threshold	The Walking Man	Warrior	Action, courage
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies	The Burghers of Calais	Everyman	Community, challenge
7. Approach to Inmost Cave	The Kiss	Lover	Vulnerability, passion
8. The Ordeal	Ugolino and His Sons	Destroyer	Suffering, transformation
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)	Eve	Creator	Rebirth, creativity
10. The Road Back	The Cathedral	Ruler	Vision, legacy
11. Resurrection	The Hand of God	Magician	Transformation, healing
12. Return with the Elixir	The Secret	Sage/Everyman	Wisdom, contribution

Final Reflection

As you leave the Musée Rodin, pause for a moment. What new story are you ready to live? What legend will you create? The journey is yours. The art, the questions, and the archetypes are your guides. Go forth and create your own legend.

Inspired by Peter de Kuster’s Hero’s Journey, the art of Auguste Rodin, and the timeless quest to become the storyteller of your own life.

Can you give me in 4000 words some tips for the traveller who has participated in this Hero’s Journey in Musée Rodin and wants to explore some more stories in Paris and in the process his or her own story?

Here comes the extended answer: 

Here is an in-depth, reflective, and practical guide (approx. 4000 words) for the traveler who has completed the Hero’s Journey at the Musée Rodin and wishes to continue exploring stories-both those of Paris and their own. This guide weaves together suggestions for meaningful exploration, recommended museums and exhibitions, immersive experiences, and deep self-inquiry, all within the mythic framework you’ve begun in Rodin’s world. You’ll find prompts, tips, and wisdom for transforming your time in Paris into the next chapter of your personal legend.

The Next Chapter: A Hero’s Guide to Exploring Stories in Paris (and Your Own)

Introduction: The Journey Continues

You have walked the halls and gardens of the Musée Rodin, encountering the 12 archetypes and stages of the Hero’s Journey through the lens of Auguste Rodin’s masterpieces. You have reflected on your own story, faced your doubts, claimed your gifts, and imagined your return with the elixir. But the journey of the hero never truly ends. Paris, a city layered with centuries of stories, now invites you to go further-to explore new tales, to meet new guides, and to deepen your understanding of yourself and the world.

What follows is not a checklist of tourist sites, but a thoughtfully curated guide to exploring Paris as a living storybook. Each suggestion is paired with reflective prompts and practical tips, so that every step you take in the City of Light becomes a step deeper into your own legend.

1. Embrace Paris as a City of Stories

Paris is not just a city; it is a tapestry of stories-of artists and revolutionaries, lovers and philosophers, migrants and visionaries. To walk its streets is to move through time, to encounter echoes of triumph and tragedy, innovation and tradition. After your Hero’s Journey at the Musée Rodin, approach Paris as a living narrative, where every museum, café, and corner offers a new chapter.

Tip:
Let go of the urge to “see it all.” Instead, choose a theme or question that emerged for you at Rodin’s museum-perhaps about creativity, resilience, love, or legacy-and let it guide your exploration. What stories in Paris resonate with your own? Where do you feel called to linger, to listen, to reflect?

2. Seek Out More Stories in Parisian Museums

Paris’s museums are treasure troves of narrative, each offering a unique lens on history, art, and the human condition. After Rodin, you might:

a. Musée d’Orsay: The Age of Transformation

Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is a monument to transformation-of space, of art, of society. Here, you’ll find the masterpieces of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists: Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and more. Their works tell stories of rebellion against convention, the search for new ways of seeing, and the courage to paint the world as it is felt, not just as it appears.

Reflective Prompt:
Which artist’s journey at the Orsay mirrors your own? Where have you challenged convention or sought a new vision? What “impression” do you wish to leave on the world?

b. Musée du Louvre: The Hero’s Labyrinth

The Louvre is a labyrinth of stories, from the ancient world to the 19th century. Here, you can trace the hero’s journey in mythological paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from every era. The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Code of Hammurabi are not just masterpieces-they are milestones in humanity’s collective story.

Practical Tip:
Choose one gallery or theme (e.g., heroes in Greek myth, women in art, or journeys in ancient Egypt) and let it guide your visit. Imagine yourself as both observer and participant in these timeless tales.

c. Musée de l’Orangerie: The Sanctuary of Stillness

In the luminous oval rooms of the Orangerie, Monet’s Water Lilies invite you into a different kind of story-a meditation on presence, perception, and the passage of time. Here, the hero’s journey is inward, a return to the self.

Reflective Prompt:
What does stillness reveal to you about your own journey? How do you find sanctuary in the midst of change?

d. Musée Picasso & Atelier des Lumières: The Power of Reinvention

Picasso’s life was a series of creative reinventions-blue period, rose period, cubism, sculpture, ceramics. At the Musée Picasso, follow his transformations; at the Atelier des Lumières, immerse yourself in digital exhibitions that bring his world to life in new ways.

Practical Tip:
Attend an immersive exhibition (such as “Picasso, Art in Motion”) and notice how technology and storytelling combine to create new forms of experience. How might you reinvent your own story, using new tools or perspectives?

3. Experience Immersive and Interactive Exhibitions

Paris is at the forefront of immersive, interactive, and sensory exhibitions that invite you to step inside stories-sometimes literally.

a. Atelier des Lumières: Step Into the Canvas

This former foundry in the 11th arrondissement uses 140 video projectors and spatialized sound to transform entire rooms into living works of art. Walk through the worlds of Van Gogh, Monet, or Rousseau as paintings swirl and shift around you.

Reflective Prompt:
How does it feel to be inside the story, rather than just observing it? What changes when you experience art with your whole body?

b. Cité de l’Histoire: Time Travel and the Power of Narrative

At the Cité de l’Histoire, ultra-immersive technological shows and animations allow you to relive great moments of the past, meet emblematic figures, and experience the emotions of different eras.

Practical Tip:
Choose a historical period or figure that fascinates you. What lessons does their story hold for your own? How do you see yourself reflected in the sweep of history?

c. Paradox Museum: The Art of Perception

The Paradox Museum near the Opéra immerses you in a world of visual and sensory paradoxes, challenging your perceptions and assumptions6. Here, you are reminded that every story has more than one side.

Reflective Prompt:
Where in your life might you be seeing only one side of the story? What new perspectives are possible if you embrace paradox?

4. Discover Stories of Identity, Migration, and Memory

Paris is a city of migrants, exiles, and dreamers. Its museums and exhibitions often explore themes of identity, belonging, and transformation.

a. Musée de l’Homme: The Human Odyssey

The “Migrations: Human Odyssey” exhibition explores how human migration has shaped who we are, individually and collectively1. Through artifacts, stories, and interactive displays, you’ll encounter the journeys that have defined humanity.

Reflective Prompt:
Where have you migrated in your own life-across places, roles, beliefs, or identities? What have you gained and lost along the way?

b. Palais de la Porte Dorée: Every Life Is a Story

The “Chaque vie est une histoire” (Every Life is a Story) exhibition at the Palais de la Porte Dorée brings together contemporary artists and the stories of migrants, workers, and dreamers who have passed through its halls5. Here, art and testimony illuminate the invisible lives that shape Paris.

Practical Tip:
Take time to listen to the stories of others-museum guides, fellow visitors, Parisians in cafés. What can you learn from the diversity of journeys around you?

5. Explore the Senses and the Stories They Tell

Paris is a feast for the senses, and many museums invite you to explore narrative through touch, taste, smell, and sound.

a. Musée du Parfum: The Scent of Memory

At the Musée du Parfum, follow the journey of fragrance from raw materials to finished perfume. Smell is the sense most closely linked to memory and emotion6.

Reflective Prompt:
What scents evoke powerful memories or stories for you? How do your senses shape your experience of the world?

b. Grévin Wax Museum: The Faces of Fame

Meet world-famous figures-past and present-in wax, and explore how celebrity and story intertwine. The process of creating a wax figure is itself a narrative of transformation.

Practical Tip:
Reflect on the “masks” you wear in different parts of your life. Which are authentic? Which are stories you’ve outgrown?

6. Find Your Own Story in the Streets of Paris

Museums are not the only places where stories unfold. Paris’s neighborhoods, cafés, and parks are living chapters in the city’s ongoing narrative.

a. Walk the Literary Paris

Follow in the footsteps of Hemingway, Colette, Sartre, and Beauvoir in the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Visit Shakespeare & Company, the legendary English-language bookstore, or sit in Café de Flore, where writers and philosophers have debated for generations.

Reflective Prompt:
What book, poem, or idea has most shaped your journey? Where do you find your own voice amidst the chorus of others?

b. Explore Montmartre: The Hill of Artists

Montmartre is a neighborhood of artists, rebels, and dreamers. Visit the Musée de Montmartre, the studios of Renoir and Utrillo, and the Place du Tertre, where painters still set up their easels.

Practical Tip:
Bring a sketchbook or notebook. Let yourself create-draw, write, or simply observe. What emerges when you give yourself permission to play?

7. Attend Temporary and Special Exhibitions

Paris’s cultural calendar is always full. Check the latest exhibitions at the Louvre, Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Grand Palais, Fondation Louis Vuitton, and more. Temporary exhibitions often focus on a single artist, theme, or period, offering fresh perspectives and new questions.

Practical Tip:
Before your visit, check the Paris museum exhibition calendar. Choose an exhibition that resonates with your current questions or interests. Let it be a mirror for your own journey.

8. Embrace Immersion and Play

Some of the most powerful stories are those you live, not just observe.

a. Participate in Interactive Experiences

From escape rooms themed around Parisian history to immersive theater and VR journeys (like “L’Horizon de Khéops” at Bercy Village2), Paris offers countless ways to step into a story.

Reflective Prompt:
How does it feel to be a character in the story, not just a spectator? What risks and rewards come with participation?

b. Try a Creative Workshop

Many museums and ateliers offer workshops in painting, sculpture, perfume-making, or writing. These are opportunities to move from consumer to creator.

Practical Tip:
Sign up for a workshop that pushes your boundaries. What do you discover about yourself when you create with your hands?

9. Pause for Reflection: Journaling Your Journey

As you move through Paris, take time to pause, reflect, and record your thoughts. Your journey is not just about what you see, but about how you are changed.

Journaling Prompts:

• What story am I living today?
• What new archetype or stage am I encountering?
• What am I learning about myself through these stories?
• What questions am I carrying forward?

Practical Tip:
Dedicate a few minutes each evening to review your day. Note moments of insight, surprise, or connection. Over time, these notes will become the chapters of your own Parisian legend.

10. Connect with Others: The Power of Shared Stories

The hero’s journey is often imagined as a solitary quest, but in truth, every hero needs allies, mentors, and companions. Paris is a city of encounters-strangers who become friends, guides who become mentors, fellow travelers who become co-authors of your story.

Tips for Connection:

• Join a guided walking tour or museum talk and ask questions.
• Attend a reading, concert, or café-philosophy night.
• Strike up conversations in bookstores, galleries, or parks.
• Share your reflections with fellow travelers or locals.

Reflective Prompt:
Who have been your allies and mentors in Paris? What gifts have you exchanged? How have these encounters shaped your journey?

11. Make Your Own Pilgrimage: Sites of Meaning

Paris is full of sacred sites-not just churches and temples, but places of personal resonance.

a. Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and Sacré-Cœur

These iconic churches are more than tourist destinations; they are sanctuaries of story, faith, and aspiration. Sit quietly, light a candle, and reflect on your own hopes and dreams.

b. Père Lachaise Cemetery

Walk among the graves of writers, artists, and dreamers-Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf. Consider the stories that endure, and the legacies left behind.

Reflective Prompt:
What legacy do you wish to leave? What story do you want to be remembered for?

12. Return with the Elixir: Sharing Your Story

As your time in Paris draws to a close, the final stage of the Hero’s Journey beckons: the return with the elixir. The true gift of your journey is not what you have seen, but how you have changed-and what you are now ready to share.

Tips for Integration:

• Write a letter to your future self, capturing the lessons and insights of your Parisian adventure.
• Create a photo essay, blog post, or story map of your journey.
• Share your story with friends, family, or colleagues. What wisdom, inspiration, or questions can you offer them?
• Commit to one change, practice, or intention that you will carry forward from Paris into your daily life.

Reflective Prompt:
What is the “elixir” you are bringing home? How will you use it to inspire, heal, or empower others?

Bonus: Archetypal Prompts for the Parisian Explorer

As you continue your journey, use these archetypal prompts to deepen your exploration:

• The Innocent: Where do you find wonder and joy in Paris? What fills you with hope?
• The Seeker: What new questions or quests are emerging for you?
• The Orphan: Where do you feel lost or alone? How do you find belonging?
• The Sage: What wisdom are you seeking? Who are your mentors?
• The Warrior: Where are you called to act or take a stand?
• The Everyman: Where do you find community and connection?
• The Lover: What do you love most about this city, this journey, this life?
• The Destroyer: What old story or habit are you ready to release?
• The Creator: What are you inspired to make, write, or build?
• The Ruler: How will you shape your world with what you’ve learned?
• The Magician: Where do you see transformation-in yourself, in others, in Paris?
• The Sage/Everyman: What story will you share when you return home?

Final Words: Paris as a Mirror, You as the Storyteller

Paris is a city of endless stories, but the most important story is the one you are living. As you explore its museums, streets, and hidden corners, remember: you are the hero of your own journey. The questions you ask, the connections you make, the risks you take-these are the chapters of your legend.

Let Paris be your mirror, your muse, your mentor. And as you return to your own world, carry its stories-and your own-forward, ready to inspire, create, and live your next adventure.

Bon voyage, and may your legend continue!