By Peter de Kuster
Introduction: Power, Loss, and the Legend You Write
Citizen Kane (1941) is not just a film—it’s a meditation on ambition, loneliness, and the elusive nature of fulfillment. Orson Welles’s masterpiece follows the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane, a man who amasses vast power and wealth but dies whispering a single word: “Rosebud.” Through fractured memories and shifting perspectives, the film asks: What truly matters in a life? For creative leaders, Kane’s journey is a timeless reminder: You are the storyteller of your own legend. Will you chase shadows, or choose meaning?
Plot Summary: The Puzzle of a Life
The story opens with Kane’s death in the vast, lonely halls of Xanadu, his palatial estate. His final word, “Rosebud,” sparks a quest by reporter Jerry Thompson to uncover its meaning. Through interviews and flashbacks, we see Kane’s journey: a boy torn from his humble home by fortune, raised by a banker, and given every opportunity except the one he wanted most—love and belonging. Kane becomes a powerful newspaper magnate, championing the underdog but increasingly obsessed with control and public adoration. His relationships suffer: his first marriage to Emily dissolves; his second wife, Susan, is pushed into unwanted stardom and eventually leaves him. Alone in Xanadu, surrounded by treasures but empty of joy, Kane dies clutching a snow globe—a symbol of the innocence and happiness he lost. In the film’s final moments, “Rosebud” is revealed to be his childhood sled, burned among his forgotten possessions—a poignant symbol of what he truly yearned for.
The Hero’s Journey in Citizen Kane
Reflections for Creative Leaders at Every Stage
| Stage | Film Moment | Reflection for Creative Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ordinary World | Young Charles playing in the snow, unaware of his destiny | Where are you still connected to your purest joys and dreams? |
| 2. Call to Adventure | The discovery of gold and Kane’s removal from home | What opportunity or change is pulling you away from comfort? |
| 3. Refusal of the Call | Kane’s resistance to leaving his family and home | When have you fought against a path chosen for you? |
| 4. Meeting the Mentor | Thatcher, the banker, and later Jed Leland as guides (for better or worse) | Who shapes your ambitions—and do they serve your true self? |
| 5. Crossing the Threshold | Kane inherits his fortune and takes over The Inquirer | What bold step have you taken to define your own path? |
| 6. Tests, Allies, Enemies | Building an empire, political campaigns, marriages, betrayals | Who supports or challenges you as you pursue your vision? |
| 7. Approach to the Inmost Cave | Kane’s obsession with control, Susan’s opera career, growing isolation | What are you clinging to that keeps you from genuine connection? |
| 8. Ordeal | Susan leaves; Kane’s rage and despair in Xanadu | When have you faced the pain of losing what you thought mattered most? |
| 9. Reward | The fleeting realization of what was lost—symbolized by “Rosebud” | What simple truth or memory brings you back to your authentic self? |
| 10. The Road Back | Kane’s decline, surrounded by possessions but empty | How do you respond when success feels hollow? |
| 11. Resurrection | The world’s search for meaning in Kane’s final word | How do you want your story to be understood when you’re gone? |
| 12. Return with the Elixir | The revelation of Rosebud: the lost innocence and love Kane never reclaimed | What wisdom will you carry forward—and what story will you choose to tell? |
Conclusion: The Sled at the Heart of Your Legend
Citizen Kane endures because it asks the question every creative leader must face: What is your “Rosebud”? Kane’s tragedy is not his failure, but his refusal to recognize what truly mattered until it was too late. As you write your own legend, remember: Power and achievement are hollow without meaning, connection, and authenticity. The story you choose is the legacy you leave.
Questions to Take Away After Watching Citizen Kane
- What is your “Rosebud”—the simple joy or value you may have lost sight of?
- Are you building your life around control and achievement, or meaning and connection?
- Who are your mentors, and do they help you become your truest self?
- What relationships or dreams have you sacrificed on the altar of ambition?
- What story do you want others to tell about you when your journey ends?
Story Coaching Offer: Create Your Hero’s Journey with Peter de Kuster
Are you ready to rediscover your “Rosebud” and author a legend of meaning? My story coaching is for:
- Creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders seeking clarity, purpose, and authentic impact
- Anyone at a crossroads, ready to turn reflection into growth and legacy
- Individuals inspired by stories and ready to become the author of their own life
Benefits of Story Coaching
- Discover your personal myth and core archetypes
- Reframe limiting beliefs and turn adversity into opportunity
- Gain clarity on your mission, legacy, and next creative chapter
- Develop practical strategies for authentic, impactful leadership
- Strengthen your storytelling skills to inspire and unite your team
Special Price for Readers
- Full Story Coaching Session (2 hours): €195 (excl. VAT)
- Express Session (1 hour): €120 (excl. VAT)
Contact: peter@wearesomeone.nl
You are the hero, the storyteller, and the legend in the making. The next chapter is yours to write.
The Power of Your Story 