Introduction: What Creative Leaders Can Learn from Jules Verne

Jules Verne, often called the father of science fiction, was much more than a dreamer—he was a pioneer who transformed imagination into impact. Verne’s life in Paris was a daring journey, marked by obstacles, curiosity, perseverance, and breakthrough. He blended adventure with research, and risk-taking with reflection. Creative leaders today can draw from Verne’s life-changing lesson: you are the author of your own legend. By embracing uncertainty, seeking mentors, collaborating boldly, and persisting through setbacks, you can invent your own extraordinary voyage and inspire others to do the same.

On this unique Parisian walking tour, you’ll step into Verne’s real and imaginary worlds, following a tailored path based on the Hero’s Journey and 12 archetypes. At each stop, you’ll reflect not just on Verne’s story, but your own—you are the storyteller of your life. Will you create your own legend, or simply follow the script?

Timeline: Jules Verne’s Hero’s Leadership Journey in Paris

Time	Stage & Archetype	Location	Reflection Focus
9:00	The Ordinary World / The Innocent	2 Rue Thérèse (Verne’s first Paris address)	Early dreams, curiosity, beginnings
10:30	The Call to Adventure / The Orphan	24 Rue de l’Ancienne-Comédie (student life)	Leaving comfort, facing uncertainty
12:00	Meeting the Mentor / The Creator	Café Procope (literary salons)	Inspiration, collaboration, vision
14:00	Trials and Allies / The Explorer	Théâtre Lyrique (early works staged)	Obstacles, resilience, creativity
16:00	Return with Elixir / The Sage	Bibliothèque nationale de France	Wisdom, legacy, sharing your story

9:00 – The Ordinary World / The Innocent

Location: 2 Rue Thérèse (Verne’s First Paris Address)

Verne arrived in Paris to study law, wide-eyed and hopeful, yet already longing for a different future.

Reflection:

• What were your earliest dreams as a leader?
• In what ways do you still nurture curiosity and a sense of wonder?

Inspiration from Verne:
Like Verne, the start of every journey is built on hope and the urge to explore.

• Question: What “ordinary world” are you ready to step beyond?

10:30 – The Call to Adventure / The Orphan

Location: 24 Rue de l’Ancienne-Comédie (Student Life)

Verne faced loneliness, financial hardship, and pressure to follow his family’s path—not his own.

Reflection:

• When did you first have to leave your comfort zone as a leader?
• How do you face uncertainty and self-doubt?

Inspiration from Verne:
He chose risk and adventure over certainty—a choice every leader must make.

• Question: What risks are you facing now, and where could they lead?

12:00 – Meeting the Mentor / The Creator

Location: Café Procope (Renowned Literary Salon)

It was in Parisian salons that Verne found his mentors, creative partners, and inspiration for invention.

Reflection:

• Who are your mentors and creative allies?
• How can collaboration unleash your own ideas?

Inspiration from Verne:
A supportive community can transform raw talent into creative breakthrough.

• Question: Who helps you see what’s possible—and how can you foster those relationships?

14:00 – Trials and Allies / The Explorer

Location: Théâtre Lyrique (Site of Early Works)

Verne’s early plays struggled, but he learned, adapted, and kept writing. His resilience led to the extraordinary stories we know today.

Reflection:

• What challenges or setbacks have shaped your growth?
• Who are your biggest supporters during tough times?

Inspiration from Verne:
True explorers turn obstacles into stepping stones.

• Question: How do you respond to creative or professional failure?

16:00 – Return with Elixir / The Sage

Location: Bibliothèque nationale de France

The library was Verne’s portal to the world—fuel for his research and imagination, and ultimately, for his legacy.

Reflection:

• What wisdom have you gained from your journey so far?
• How can you share your story to inspire others?

Inspiration from Verne:
The final stage is to return with the “elixir”—the knowledge, experiences, and stories you bring home to your community.

• Question: What is the “legend” you want to leave behind?

Conclusion: Lessons from Verne’s Hero’s Journey

Jules Verne’s story is a model for every leader seeking to create rather than follow. He dared to leave his comfort zone, sought inspiration from new people and places, persisted through doubts and failures, and ultimately wrote—and lived—his own legend. Flow came when his actions matched his story, and when he saw himself as both hero and author.

Final Reflections for Your Own Legend:

• Where are you on your own hero’s journey?
• Are you telling yourself a story of risk, resilience, and creation—or one of comfort and safety?
• What will your next chapter be?

Dare to chart your own course. Your extraordinary voyage begins with the stories you choose to tell—and to live.

“The great necessary thing is to dare to have oneself.” — Jules Verne

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.