I received this story from a friend of mine today, and thought that it was such a powerful message I just had to share it.
It speaks wonderfully to how we should be going about our business and daily lives.
It goes like this……
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. “The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued.
“I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED.
I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you.
” I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed.
Everyday, Jim would water the seed and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still…….
nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.
Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened.
Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. 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 and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”
All of a sudden, 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. 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.
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!”
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
So, consider what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later!
………….. Such a great story, and a powerful message! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Great story Vicki, and I can’t agree more, just being honest and transparent you can hope to build an awesome team around you. Faking to be what you clearly are not is the only safe way to go downhill sooner or later. The old saying that lies have short legs isn’t just a saying at all.
Gabriele Maidecchi´s last [type] ..Unity3D And Microsoft Kinect Hell Yeah!
Hi Gabriele!
Great to see you again! You’re right, integrity and transparency are key to building trust and solid relationships, and therefore a sustainable business. I hadn’t heard that saying tho and you’re right, it’s completely true that lies have short legs, you’ll never get very far with relationships based on lies!
Thanks for stopping by!
Wishing You Brilliant Success,
Hi Vicki,
What a marvelous and refreshing story to read. As there can be so many that can be deceiving just to get ahead, an example of honesty and integrity definitely stands out over the many.
Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story.
Aloha,
Nelly
Hi Nelly!
You’re welcome, I was so impressed by this one that I couldn’t wait to share it. It’s true that so many are deceptive in order to succeed, but there are many that are not, and will not sacrifice their integrity for any reason, making their success so much more long term.
Thanks for stopping by, great to see you again!
Wishing You Wonderful Success,
Hey Vicki,
That is a great story, and so true about the point that it makes… “Honesty is the Best Policy!”
Is this story about you… are just disguising your name as Jim?
Thanks,
John Engle
John Engle | WeblogTips´s last [type] ..Increase Exposure Submit to Site Directories!
Hi John!
I’m glad you liked it, LOL no it wasn’t me just a copy of a story forwarded to me by a friend – I loved it though!
Thanks for stopping by, great to see you again!
This is a great story, Vicki! It reminds me of what Napoleon Hill said about business and that we should do all of our dealings with honesty and justice to the benefit of everyone involved. I wonder how many people would pass that test if it were to happen in real life. (These days, people are even surprised if someone leaves a note after a fender bender.)
Hi Steve,
You’re right, people are very surprised by honesty these days, especially when it’s a difficult thing to do such as accept what might seem to be failure or a mistake. But the display of integrity does go such a long way!
Wishing You Tremendous Success,
This was a great story. I didn’t know what the ending was going to be. Honesty is so important. I thought it was going to be that he persevered and was faithful even when it didn’t seem to be working. He still kept at it. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Amy
Amy Hagerup´s last [type] ..Why You Need a Bird Dog
Hi Amy!
You’re right, it does display the quality of persistence too, he didn’t give up when it was long past any time that any healthy seed would have sprouted. So both persistence and honesty are keys to great success, aren’t they!
Wishing You Fabulous Success,
Love this story. Thanks for posting. The Law of Sowing and reaping is so true. This is one of the major problems in our country. The microwave mentality is in effect. We have lost the need to sow good seeds to reap a good harvest. Everyone wants that instant gratification and is willing to cut corners to get there. Do not loose your integrity at any cost!
Terry Shelton´s last [type] ..MLM Trainer Coach on How to Utilize Your Dream & Goals in Home-Based Business
Hi Terry!
Yes indeed, we do live in an instant gratification world, where patience and persistence are seemingly more difficult. Honesty and integrity are as important as always in ensuring our success in life, business or otherwise!
Thanks for stopping by and for commenting!
Wishing You Continued Success,
Vicki… What a story. Honesty is the best policy, always was and always will be. We all kind of mess up some time, so fess up all the time.
Coach Freddie
Coach Freddie´s last [type] ..Are You Using Your Time Wisely
Vicki,
I love this story. I have heard it before, but you explained it so well here. I especially like “If you plant…..” – it’s so true. Integrity wins every time.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Karen
Karen Marrow´s last [type] ..Money Is My Friend- Powerful Affirmations
Hi Vicki!
Thanks for inviting me back to your Blog…I know, it’s been awhile.
I’m loving this article, we must always keep in mind the long-term
effects of the actions we are performing today…even this minute!!
Have a highly inspired day…your tribal friend Steven Suchar
Steven Suchar´s last [type] ..Are You Creating Video On Facebook
Hi Steven!
Great to see you again! Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed this story, it was so important I had to share it
You’re right, there are always long term effects for each and every action we take and decision we make!
Wishing You Tremendous Success,
Hey Vicki,
Visiting for the first time and I love it here already.
I love the story. Integrity is key. doing what has to be done whether anyone is watching or not, and whether it will be rewarded or not.
Thanks for sharing!
Tosin
Tosin´s last [type] ..MLM Business Lesson from Dr Phil
Hi Tosin!
Thank you so much! You are very kind!
Glad you liked the story, I thought it was a wonderful illustration of the value of integrity. Even if he had not gotten the CEO seat, his integrity is worth so much more!
Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful comment!
Wishing You Tremendous Success,
I visit this site frequently as I like your tenacity , perseverance and energy.
Your tweet feed comes through early so you must be up at the crack of dawn every day. Regards Robert Twitter @pocketinfos
Hi Robert,
Thanks so much! I do admit however to having my tweets on auto-pilot, with such a large following in all timezones too I figure it’s best to keep them going out every so often!
I appreciate your support, and I hope to continue earning your loyalty, so I will continue to perservere!
Wishing You Tremendous Success!
Beautiful story… I love it it’s very empowering and yes “Honesty is the best policy” indeed… Thanks for sharing this and made us so inspired with your story…
Thanks Steph! I loved it and had to share, it illustrates so well the value of honsty.
Thanks for taking the time to stop and comment!
Wishing You Wonderful Success,
beautiful piece of work there Vicky….. i love it. very empowering and also teaches moral value, something which has been conveniently lost in society. can i share it with my team?????
Hi Tembe!
Thanks, and absolutely you may share it with your team, please!
I hope you’re having a great week and I wish you the best of success,
Hi Vicki, Really nice story! Indeed honesty is the best policy.
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