A seasoned entrepreneur realized it was time to choose a successor for his business. Instead of selecting one of his Directors or family members, he decided to take a unique approach. He gathered all the young executives in his company and said, “It’s time for me to step down and pick the next CEO. I’ve decided to pick one of you.” The young executives were astonished, but the entrepreneur continued, “Today, I’m giving each one of you a SEED – a very special SEED. I want you to sow it, water it, and return here one year from now with what you have grown. I will judge your plants, and the one I select will be the next CEO.”
Jim was among the young executives who received a seed that day. He went home, shared the story with his wife, and they planted the seed together. Jim checked the pot every day, hoping to see something grow, but after three weeks, there was still no sign of life. Other executives started talking about their plants, and some even boasted about their progress. Jim kept watering his seed, but nothing happened.
Months went by, and Jim’s pot remained empty while other executives brought in tall plants, flowers, and trees. Jim was feeling like a failure, but he didn’t tell his colleagues. He kept watering and fertilizing the soil and hoped that something would eventually grow.
One year later, all the young executives brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim didn’t want to take an empty pot, but his wife encouraged him to be honest. Jim felt sick to his stomach, but he knew she was right, so he took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful – in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor, feeling embarrassed.
The CEO surveyed the room, greeted the young executives, and said, “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown. Today, one of you will be appointed the next CEO!” Suddenly, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front, and Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure; Maybe he will have me fired…”
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed. Jim told him the story, and the CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer; His name is Jim.”
Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed. “How could he be the new CEO?” the others said. Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer.”
This story teaches us a valuable lesson about integrity. Honesty and hard work are fundamental virtues that pave the way to success. As the wise saying goes, “Whatever you give to life, life gives you back.” So, always be mindful of what you sow, for it will determine what you will reap. Keep walking, keep working,
