Leadership Training

A king sent his son to a wise monk to be trained as a leader.  The monk immediately sent the boy into the woods alone – for a year – to learn the sounds of the forest.
 
At first the boy heard only what he was used to – birds, wind, insects.  But, in time, he heard the sounds behind the sounds – the flowers opening, the earth expanding.
 
When he returned to the monk and reported this, the monk was pleased.  He said that only a ruler who hears the unexpressed feelings, pains and complaints of the people can lead correctly.