A striking quote from the great Jacques, dating back to 1971, but one that—judging by your reactions—has lost none of its relevance. “Leaving Vilvoorde” is an ironic reflection that, like many truths, stands out as much for its obviousness as for its significance. A significance that applies to both private and professional life.
“Leaving Vilvoorde”—But What Does That Really Mean?
We all have dreams and projects. But actually bringing them to life… that’s another story. Often, it’s that first step that’s the hardest to take. Throughout life, we are faced with moments that call for decisions—for choices. Changing jobs, radically altering our lifestyle, or launching our own business, for example.
This first step is so daunting because it pushes us outside our comfort zone. We’re constantly juggling obligations. Our life choices can significantly affect our partner or family. And yet, once we’ve taken that first step, things gradually become easier. A few years later, “having left Vilvoorde” feels like the obvious thing to have done. So obvious that we often say, “I should’ve done this sooner.”
Failure: The Ideal Springboard
Strange as it may seem, failure plays a key role in our life journey—if we choose to view it as a springboard for taking the leap. When we lose a job, we’re forced to bounce back. Admittedly, the timing is rarely ideal. Our first instinct is usually to take the hit and avoid risk. Yet this is a golden opportunity—because really, what do we have to lose?
Whether or not you take that first step is up to you. Your dreams and your plans are yours alone. Nowhere is it written that you must act on them. But once you’ve made your decision, the essential question becomes: “How do you maximize your chances of success?”
Start Here: With Solid Preparation.
Gather as much information as possible to fully understand your situation. Then, once your project is underway, stay focused and determined, keeping your eyes on what matters most: your goal. Are there other keys to success? Yes—attitude. Learn to drive change yourself. Don’t wait for the “right conditions”—they’ll never be perfect. Those external factors will always exist, but you can influence them far more than you might think. At Archetype, we place great emphasis on helping people realize just how much control they really have over these external influences. We’ll explore that in more detail in a future article.
In any situation, there are unknowns—that’s what gives life its flavor. But by preparing well, you can manage uncertainty and reduce the risks that come with taking the first step. We call this approach “the art of change”: minimizing uncertainty, calculating risk, and preparing thoroughly. After that, it’s all about one thing: boldness. To take the leap, you have to dare to jump.
And What About the Great Jacques?
Jacques Brel always followed his dreams. At least three times, he “left Vilvoorde.” Three times, he deliberately stepped outside his comfort zone. Born into a bourgeois family and working in the family’s cardboard factory, he chose to take a chance and move to Paris—leaving behind his family and three children to pursue his dream of becoming a singer. Later, at the height of his fame, he ended his music career to become a film actor—another passion to which he devoted himself completely. In 1974, a third major shift—both literal and figurative: he bought a sailboat and embarked on a world tour. That journey led him to the Marquesas Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where he lived out his final days—far from the maddening crowd.
What HR Lesson Can We Learn from Jacques Brel?
The world of human resources is evolving rapidly. To stand out, it’s not just about acquiring new skills—but also new attitudes and behaviors. As a specialist in training and recruiting Sales & Marketing profiles, Archetype is particularly attuned to these qualities: flexibility, adaptability, self-reflection, and boldness. These four virtues have become essential. Far from being a passing trend, they represent a new mindset. In the future, for each of us, it will be vital to dare to leave Vilvoorde—now more than ever.
Marc Diamant, Managing Director, Archetype
