Introduction: What Creative Leaders Can Learn from Debussy

Claude Debussy transformed the world of music by daring to challenge conventions and forge his own unique path. Living and creating in Paris, he reinvented sound and composition, drawing inspiration from art, poetry, and the city itself. Debussy’s journey teaches creative leaders the importance of trusting their intuition, embracing change, and finding harmony between risk and reflection. Through his story, we learn how to listen for possibilities, orchestrate our own narrative, and lead with both authenticity and innovation.

As you walk in Debussy’s footsteps through Paris, you are invited to reflect on your own journey. What melodies guide you? What daring departures ignite your imagination? You are the composer and conductor of your own leadership legend.

Timeline & Walking Tour Itinerary

Time	Location & Theme	Reflection & Questions
09:00	Start: Place de la Madeleine The Ordinary World & Call to Adventure	What “music” fills your daily life? What new call to adventure is whispering to you?
09:30	Conservatoire de Paris (14 Rue de Madrid) Meeting the Mentor & Tests	Who shaped your talent and ambition? What early tests have honed your leadership?
10:45	Square Berlioz (Debussy’s Early Apartment nearby) The Innocent/Explorer	When have you felt pure inspiration and curiosity? Where do you wander for fresh ideas?
12:00	Lunch: Café de la Paix (Near Opéra Garnier) Allies & Adversaries	Who supports (or challenges) your vision? How do you harmonize collaboration and conflict?
13:30	Opéra Garnier Crossing the Threshold	When have you stepped onto a new stage—ready, nervous, or bold? What did you discover?
14:30	La Société Nationale de Musique (Salle Pleyel area) Ordeal & The Rebel/Creator	When have you defied convention? How did you persist through resistance?
16:00	Jardin du Luxembourg (Debussy often walked here) Reward & Reflection	Where do you find renewal and flow? How do you celebrate small victories or moments of clarity?
17:00	Finale: Debussy’s Last Apartment, 23 Square Avenue Foch Return with the Elixir	What wisdom have you composed along your journey? How will you guide and inspire others?

The Hero’s Journey & The 12 Archetypes: Debussy’s Paris

• The Innocent: Young Debussy’s hope and curiosity at the Conservatoire.
• The Orphan/Everyman: Feeling both part of and different from his peers.
• The Hero: Braving public criticism and personal struggle to champion a new musical vision.
• The Caregiver: Nurturing his talent, and receiving support from teachers and friends.
• The Explorer: Seeking fresh harmonies, scales, and forms across art and literature.
• The Rebel/Outlaw: Challenging musical norms, inventing Impressionism in music.
• The Lover: Pouring passion into his compositions and relationships.
• The Creator: Crafting masterpieces like “Clair de Lune” and “Pelléas et Mélisande.”
• The Jester: Infusing his music with whimsy and playful dissonance.
• The Sage: Studying symbolism, Asian music, and philosophy to deepen his art.
• The Magician: Transforming everyday sounds into shimmering music.
• The Ruler: Earning acclaim and guiding modern music’s direction.

Reflection Moments & Questions at Each Stop

• Place de la Madeleine:
  What everyday “themes” shape your leadership? What new adventure is calling you?
• Conservatoire de Paris:
  Who have been your mentors? How did early challenges build your skills?
• Square Berlioz:
  When did you last feel creative curiosity? Where do you go to dream or refuel?
• Café de la Paix:
  Who joins your symphony? How do you balance teamwork and dissent?
• Opéra Garnier:
  When have you embraced a new role or challenge? How did it reshape your vision?
• Salle Pleyel area:
  When have you upended expectations? How did you withstand resistance or doubt?
• Jardin du Luxembourg:
  How do you recover your flow after setbacks? What rituals help you reflect and renew?
• 23 Square Avenue Foch:
  What is your leadership “legacy”? How will you inspire the next movement?

Conclusion: Lessons from Debussy’s Hero’s Journey

Debussy’s story is one of listening deeply—both to his inner voice and the world’s evolving chorus. He composed new harmonies by refusing to echo the past, crafting a personal legend that changed music forever. Like Debussy, you are the storyteller of your own journey. By embracing challenge, seeking new inspiration, and daring to compose something original, you find your own flow and shape a legacy that inspires others.

Final Reflection:
What story will you compose for your leadership? How will you orchestrate your life to become both the hero and the composer of your own legend?

Tour Details:

• Duration: 1 day
• Start Time: 09:00 AM
• End Time: 05:00 PM
• Cost: € 595 per person excluding VAT per person

You can book this tour by sending Peter an email with details at peter@wearesomeone.nl

Your Tour Guide

Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project,  a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.

Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing,  MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.