Once there was an emperor who was growing old and knew that it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing a high assistant or one of his children, he decided to select an individual with personal leadership character to lead the kingdom.

He called all the young people of the kingdom together and announced - It has come time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you. The kids were shocked. The emperor continued - I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home and plant the seed. Then water it and take care of it and bring it back one year from today to show me what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants you bring me, and by the skill you demonstrate in your personal leadership, I shall choose from among you the next emperor of the kingdom.

There was a boy named Ling who was there that day, and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story including his ambition to be the boy who excelled in personal leadership. He promised to do whatever was necessary to achieve this honor for his family. His mother helped him get a pot, some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch it. After a few weeks, the other kids at school began to talk about their seeds and the great plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking on his plant and it did not grow. Weeks went by and nothing. Six months went by; the others were talking about their plants, and, Ling had nothing. He began to feel like a total failure. He just knew that he must have killed his seed. He felt that his opportunity to prove his personal leadership was disappearing before him. However, he kept watering and waiting.

A year finally went by. All the youths of the kingdom were bringing their plants to the emperor for inspection and judging. Ling was saddened and embarrassed. He told his mother that he was not going to take his empty pot; but she encouraged him to go, and be honest about what happened. Poor Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took the empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the beauty and variety of plants grown by all the other youths. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and the other kids laughed and jeered at him.

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling tried to hide in the back. The emperor said: My, what beautiful plants you have grown. Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor."

Then, the emperor noticed Ling in the back with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to go get the youth and bring him forward for judging. Ling was terrified. He thought - the emperor knows that I am a failure. Maybe he will have me killed.

When Ling got to the front, the emperor asked his name. He answered - my name is Ling. All the kids were laughing and jeering when the emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He announced to the crowd, behold your new emperor; his name is Ling. The other youths could not believe it. Ling could not even grow his seed. Why was he to be emperor?

The emperor then said - "One year ago I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But, I gave you all boiled seeds. They were seeds that would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me plants and flowers. When you found that your seed would not grow you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. He faced the problems of disappointment and embarrassment that few of you understand. He overcame his obstacle of doubt and worry and demonstrated his personal leadership. Therefore, he will be the new emperor."

The Personal Leader has first and foremost -- Integrity, real honesty. Integrity is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Integrity is saying what you will do, and doing what you say. Integrity demands that you pursue truth and virtue when no one is watching. Integrity expects that you may face failure or make mistakes but only asks that you fix them. Integrity has become a rare find in the world today.

Remember, to enjoy the privileges of personal leadership -- Have a Positive Mental Attitude, Be Self Motivated, Be Goal Directed, Be an Effective Communicator and, Act with Integrity.