Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. Second Deputy Premier. Saudi

Minister of Defense and Aviation. Inspector General. His titles alone

make him sound overbearing. And yet, don’t be too quick to judge. Shake

the Prince’s hand. Hear his laugh. Watch him accept flowers from a

child. To paraphrase the seminal thinker Professor Peter Drucker, 

“Great leaders take their roles seriously, not themselves.”  Prince Sultan is

certainly aware of the role he plays both at home and abroad, but this

has never made him any less human.

Nor has his position allowed him to ignore society’s values. Character

is a big issue these days. Popular social commentators sternly advise

that “Character counts!” Hasn’t it always? Since our earliest childhood

we are taught the importance of personal qualities such as honesty,

generosity and humility. Our proverbs are filled with dire warnings,

”Pride goeth before a fall!”  “God looks to clean hands, not full 

ones!”

Coming from a traditional family, raised by God-fearing parents, Prince

Sultan learned that a man’s good character is his most essential

possession. Throughout his life he has always approached both friends

and strangers with a glad smile and an open heart. Generous, almost to 

a fault, he is however, no fool. The Prince is well known for correctly

assessing an individual’s character from the first introduction. This

ability is in part a result of years of choosing those in whom to place

his trust.

As he has grown older, Prince Sultan is no doubt wiser. This wisdom has

allowed him to temper his decisions with prudence and care, but not a

whiff of cowardice has ever touched his soul. He still makes the bold

move when others hesitate. He champions knowledge and technology as the

best weapons in the battle against ignorance and fear.

By leading with his heart and dedicating his life to the people of 

Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan has built a strong reputation that is enhanced

daily through his words and deeds.