Self-Action Leadership Training for EDUCATORS

For generations, educators desiring to teach LEADERSHIP,  CHARACTER, and LIFE-SKILL EDUCATION have faced the dilemma of lacking a comprehensive, cogent resource.

The purpose of this article is to introduce a new SELF-LEADERSHIP TEXTBOOK that provides a seminal solution to this dilemma.

This groundbreaking resource provides teachers, coaches, principals, superintendents, and any other educators with a goldmine of information whereby they can further prepare their students for real life and empower their future success beyond mere academic instruction.  

This new resource is called, SELF-ACTION LEADERSHIP: The Key to Personal Professional, & Global Freedom, and it is changing the way educators think about leadership, character, and life-skill instruction and education generally speaking.

In the earliest days of our Republic, students' primary textbook was The Holy Bible.  The reason for this was not merely that books in general were hard to come by.  It was also because our Pilgrim Mothers and Fathers were by-and-large humble, God-fearing individuals who sought not only the knowledge to do things right in their trade, but also the courage and conviction to do the right things in their communities, homes, and personal lives as well.

Over the decades and centuries that followed, education in America became increasingly secular.  This trend was not all bad.  It did, however, carry a negative by-product—the gradual diminishment, and in some cases eradication, of principle-based leadership, character, and life-skills education.  This did not have to be the case; it was not inevitable; but nonetheless, it is what has happened.

How can educators remedy this problem, especially in light of the tremendous pressure they already face from external stakeholders (viz. State accountability measures) to "teach to the test" and meet a variety of other demands?  The answer to this question is simple, but not easy.  It will require educators to engage in deep introspection and invest an indomitable willingness to evolve and exercise transformational leadership and creativity within the confines of their own spheres of influence.  

C.S. Lewis, that venerable Christian author, once pointed out that authentic progress in any arena, including the resolution of past mistakes, can only be achieved in one way.

"We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. We have all seen this when doing arithmetic. When I have started a sum the wrong way, the sooner I admit this and go back and start again, the faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pig headed and refusing to admit a mistake. … Going back is the quickest way on." [1]

Please do not misunderstand.  I am NOT suggesting we bring back The Holy Bible as the primary text in our nation's public schools.  I believe our Founding Fathers exercised great wisdom when they established a separation of Church and State in the public schools and governing bodies of our nation.  I am, however, stating what many educators all over the country already know to be true: that we often fail our children by providing a pedagogy entirely bereft of that special variety of instruction designed to prepare our youth with essential life-skills, empower them to become principle-centered leaders, and most importantly, promote and educate the conscience.

For any and all educators who seek a high-quality, non-denominational, secular, textbook that teaches leadership, character, good citizenship, and life-skills, look no further.  The guide you seek after has now been written and published.  It is called, Self-Action Leadership: The Key to Personal, Professional, & Global Freedom.

Click HERE to see the Self-Action Leadership textbook and read an extended SAMPLE on NOOK

Self-Action Leadership not only outlines a rich academically textured theory and model replete with wisdom from around the world and throughout the ages, it also comes garnished and seasoned with penetrating real-life anecdotes from the lives of successful leaders and educators who have "walked the talk" in their own classrooms, schools, and individual lives.

From my own classroom to elementary, middle, and high schools in the State of Georgia, teachers' and principals' own stories of success are richly highlighted in Book the Fourth—the fourth of five books within the text.

The other four sections of the book include Book the First, which heralds the importance of patriotism and attending to the civic duties that each individual holds to one's community, state, and nation.  Books the Second and Third (sections two & three) outline the Self-Action Leadership—or SAL—Theory and Model.  Finally, Book the Last (section five) provides additional insight into how to successfully implement the SAL Theory and Model into one's individual life—and then model and teach it to others.

Click HERE to learn more about the SAL Theory & Model.

After all the talk about the importance of inculcating leadership, character, and life-skill education into the minds and hearts of our children, a uniformed, comprehensive, self-leadership TEXTBOOK has finally been written to walk this talk.

If you are an educator, all you have to do now is get the book, read it, and then begin to formulate your own creative plans regarding how you can most effectively utilize the book as a resource in your own classroom or school.

In the meantime, listen to what other educators are already saying about this groundbreaking contribution to leadership and character education in America:

Dr. David Anthony in front of the Texas State Capitol in Austin

“Reading this book may be the most worthwhile thing you do this year. I hope the message of Self-Action Leadership makes its way into the minds and hearts of students, parents, and business professionals everywhere. Its presence in the literature is a service to our Country."   

David G. Anthony, Ed.D.

CEO of Raise Your Hand Texas and former Superintendent of the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District – Houston, TX  – one of the Top 25 Largest School Districts in America

Click HERE to read Dr. Anthony's Afterword to Self-Action Leadership

"Any student would benefit from the principles of Self-Action Leadership that Jordan Jensen teaches. Unfortunately, too many young people today don't learn these principles in their homes. If they don't pick them up somewhere, they are at a disadvantage in life." 

Joseph N. Jensen, M.A. (Ed.D. pending)
Principal, Orem Junior High School, Orem, Utah

To read about the remarkable progress Principal Jensen has made with his own staff and students by implicitly applying SAL-oriented principles, click HERE.

“As a high school English teacher who also facilitates a Student Leadership class, I was thrilled to learn about this insightful guide to self-leadership that can be used as a resource in classes just like mine. Thank you Jordan! As an educator, it is encouraging to know there are people out there like Dr. Jensen who are working hard to support administrators, teachers, parents, and students alike. I am confident the message of Self-Action Leadership will help to provide the guidance our youth so desperately need to become effective self-leaders and productive members of society.” 

Shannon Lindholm
High School Teacher, Magnolia, Texas  

"Dr. Jensen, through his experience teaching, brings to light the importance of teaching leadership and character inside the classroom. Teachers will feel empowered to impact youth outside of prescribed curriculum through an understanding of Self-Action Leadership."

James Fraser
High School Teacher; Conroe, Texas

To buy a copy of Self-Action Leadership, click HERE.

Click HERE to view Dr. Jordan Jensen's Complete 1-hour Self-Action Leadership Seminar for FREE

Click HERE to view Dr. Jordan Jensen's groundbreaking speech entitled, A Twenty-First Century Vision of Education in America.

To sign up for our Self-Action Leadership Blog, add your e-mail address in the white "Follow By Email" box on the right hand side of this webpage.

Dr. Jordan Jensen
Master Facilitator

The opportunity is now here to bring explicit SAL training to YOUR classroom or school.  This opportunity includes the possibility of revolutionizing, or at least evolutionizing, your student body into pathways of holistic personal growth and progress that will produce quantum leaps in the long-term success of your bottom line—the extent to which your students become happy, healthy, contributing civic-minded members of society.

SAL Training is the training of the future.  It is training for the organizational soul.  It is the silver bullet to long-term success.

To read about one leader, Joe Jensen's, successful, implicit use of SAL principles and practices in leading his team to extraordinary, even outlying, results, click HERE.

If you are a Superintendent, Principal, Teacher, or Coach and are thinking about brining SAL training to your classroom, school, or district, where do you start?

Simple... just call us at 832-618-5451, or e-mail us at jordan.jensen@freedomfocused.com, and we will provide you with a free consultation to discover which SAL training would be right for you.

SAL trainings are deliverable in five different time frames.  Additional consulting services and a variety of related soft skills training options are also available upon request.

2-hour     ~   Introduction to SAL*

Half-day  ~  Abridged SAL training*

Full-day  ~   Abridged SAL training*

Two-day  ~  Abridged SAL training*   

Four-day  ~  Full SAL training* 

*All SAL trainings include a copy of Dr. Jensen's new book: Self-Action Leadership: The Key to Personal, Professional, & Global Freedom, seen below...

Notes:

[1] Lewis, C. S. (2001). Mere Christianity. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco. Pages 28-29.

Note: This article is one of SIX articles in a special series dedicated to different AUDIENCES that Freedom Focused specifically targets with Self-Action Leadership training. We invite leaders and managers of these different audiences to click on links below to read the articles pertaining to your field or constituency.

Click HERE to access article for  BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS (Leaders, Managers, & Workers)

Click HERE to access article for  EDUCATORS  (Administrators, Teachers, & Staff)

Click HERE to access article for  STUDENTS & INDIVIDUALS

Click HERE to access article for PARENTS & FAMILIES

Click HERE to access article for ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEADERS, & ROLE MODELS

Click HERE to access article for PERSONS dealing with MENTAL ILLNESS

Self-Action Leadership  ~  The Book

SELF-ACTION LEADERSHIP is the key catalyst for initiating transformational leadership that lasts in any classroom, school, or district. The truth of the matter really is that simple; and the transformation of organizations through the holistic development of individuals really is that difficult—yet altogether possible for anyone willing to invest the time, effort, and sacrifice required to achieve authentic, transformational results.


Unlike any training program that has ever preceded it, Self-Action Leadership provides a single vehicle wherewith individual self-leaders can discover—and then act—upon the great truth that HOLISTIC personal development and growth spanning the mental, moral, spiritual, physical, emotional, and social elements of our individual natures is within the grasp of each one of us.

Back Cover of Self-Action Leadership, the Book

Note: Freedom Focused is a non-partisan, for-profit, educational corporation.  As such, we do not endorse or embrace political figures.  We do, however, comment from time-to-time on historical or political events that provide pedagogical backdrops to illuminating principles contained in the SAL Theory & Model.

Click HERE to learn more about the SAL Theory & Model.

To receive weekly articles from Freedom Focused & Dr. Jordan R. Jensen, sign up with your e-mail address in the white box on the right side of this page where it says "Follow by E-mail."

Click HERE to buy a copy of Dr. Jordan Jensen's new book, Self-Action Leadership: The Key to Personal, Professional, & Global Freedom.

Click HERE to read more about Dr. Jensen's book, Self-Action Leadership, and to review what experts in the leadership field are saying about this groundbreaking new personal development handbook.

Click HERE to learn more about Dr. Jordan R. Jensen.  Click HERE to visit the Freedom Focused website.

What the Experts are Saying about Dr. Jordan Jensen's New Book

Praise for Self-Action Leadership: 

The Key to Personal & Professional Freedom

"In Self Action Leadership, Jordan Jensen has assembled a leadership masterpiece anchored steadfastly in true principles of philosophy and human behavior. In wonderfully written prose, Jordan reminds us of who we are and what it takes to live and lead with honor. Moreover, he challenges us to live up to the high calling of being human beings with a special mission on this Earth. To accomplish our mission, we must do two major things: grow in our sense of personal responsibility, and in turn, care for others and help them to do the same. I grappled with these two areas in a primal way during more than five years as a POW in Vietnam. Now I’m thrilled to see how Jordan has laid out SAL by using the vehicle of story to illuminate his own, unique journey of transcending adversity. In so doing, he has inspired us all to become who we are capable of becoming. Bravo!”

Colonel Lee Ellis (retired)
U.S. Air Force, Vietnam POW Survivor (Hanoi Hilton), author of Leading With Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, and President & Founder of Leadership Freedom LLC and FreedomStar Media

"There is no more important contributor to your own effectiveness than how you lead yourself.  If you want to learn a great deal about the latest thinking on self-leadership, read this book."

Charles C. Manz, Ph.D.
Nirenberg Chaired Professor of Business Leadership at The University of Massachusetts, co-author of Mastering Self-Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence, and Father of the self-leadership field in the Academe.

"Jordan Jensen has written a thorough, intense, and illuminating autobiographical volume about how to lead self.  His story, compounded by OCD and a determination to improve, will help others reflect on how they might best lead themselves -- given whatever genetic endowment or mimetic inheritance they may have received.  Jordan's depth of analysis and self-insight will inspire others to take a similarly in-depth review of who they are and who they want to be--at least once before they die--a journey well worth the effort."

James G.S. Clawson, Ph.D.
Faculty member of The Darden Graduate School of Business at The University of Virginia (retired), and author of Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface

"While a number of books and articles have been written on the topic of self-leadership, Jordan Jensen's Self-Action Leadership goes deep below the surface level of basic self-leading strategies and accompanying examples to provide an in-depth examination of how self-leadership processes can be woven effectively into the fabric of one's life.  A deeply personal and richly emotive narrative, Self-Action Leadership takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery, providing one of the most detailed and applied treatments of self-leadership concepts currently available."

Jeffery D. Houghton, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Management at West Virginia University, and leading self-leadership Scholar


"Reading this book may be the most worthwhile thing you do this year.  I hope the message of Self-Action Leadership makes its way into the minds and hearts of students, parents, and business professionals everywhere.  Its presence in the literature is a service to our Country."

David G. Anthony, Ed.D.
CEO of Raise Your Hand Texas, and former Superintendent of Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District

"Jensen has accomplished a task that is very difficult for any author to achieve, and that is to produce a single text that is highly relevant to multiple audiences at the same time.  Because of the universal applicability of his basic self-leadership principles, his message is germane not only to persons struggling with OCD, depression, or other forms of mental illness, but to civic leaders, business professionals and workers of all kinds, educators, students, parents, and children--in short, to EVERYONE.  Indeed, I do believe that virtually anyone who reads this book will be able to take away something from it that will improve his or her life in a significant way."

Christopher P. Neck, Ph.D. 
University Master Teacher at Arizona State University, co-author of Mastering Self-Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence, and a leading self-leadership Scholar


"Most of us have challenges that we seek to explain through our genetic predispositions.  It is the select few who consider their internal resources and make the choice to master those challenges.  Dr. Jensen, through his own experiences and research, has taken the latter path--The Road Less Traveled.  Anyone who seeks greater insight into their inner struggles, and desires the tools to overcome those struggles--to master self, will find this book a must read!"

Bruce H. Jackson, Ed.M, MBA, MA, Ph.D., MPA
Founder & CEO of The Institute of Applied Human Excellence, and author of Finding Your Flow: How to Identify Your Flow Assets and Liabilities--The Keys to Peak Performance Every Day

"Do Jensen's narrative of his battle with OCD is brutally honest.  He takes the reader inside the mind of a young man struggling to understand himself, to be accepted by his peers, and eventually how to overcome great odds and succeed.  If you have OCD, know someone who has OCD, or counsel people with this devastating disorder, this book is a must read."

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen L. Jensen (retired) 
U.S. Air Force Fighter Pilot (F-15 Eagle) 


"Jensen's autoethnographic study is a comprehensive and detailed account of his personal journey in managing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and taking action steps to fulfill his personal and professional goals.  He intimately chronicles his struggle with the challenges of OCD and outlines a comprehensive self-leadership system for successfully managing it.  This book offers hope for those with OCD.  It also serves as a helpful guide for anyone who wants to unlock their own self-leadership potential."

Rodney J. Beaulieu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, California State University San Marcos


"If you find yourself in Hell, you might be lucky enough to come across this book.  Psychotherapists, such as myself, can show you a path, but Jordan outlines individual footsteps you can follow to freedom.  Jordan approached his OCD and depression with unusual determination and proactivity.  His story offers an inspiring model of a patient's full acceptance of responsibility for one's own treatment, which is paramount to a successful outcome.  His theory and model -- the result of keen self-awareness, reflection, and study -- offer hope for those who struggle with mental illness and other life challenges.  He has demonstrated the courage required to take the first steps, as well as the commitment to keep going."

Irene Tobis, Ph.D.
Former President of OCD Texas, an affiliate of the International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF)


"Dr. Jensen shares insightful stories and powerful principles that create an incredibly solid foundation of self-leadership knowledge, but he doesn't stop there.  The read is also guided through the same process of self-discover that Jensen himself went through to become a self-leader.  The combination of sound philosophy and guided self-exploration make this book a truly unique and powerful tool in creating self-leaders."

Josh Rohatinsky, MPA
NCAA Division-I Cross-Country Champion (2006), former professional distance runner (Nike), and Vice President of Operations for Brooksee


"Any student would benefit from the principles of Self-Action Leadership that Jordan Jensen teaches.  Unfortunately, too many young people today don't learn these principles in their homes.  If they don't pick them up somewhere, they are at a disadvantage in life."

Joseph N. Jensen, M.A. (Ed.D. 2015)
Principal at Orem Junior High School and Utah State middle school Principle of the Year (2013)


"Jordan Jensen's empowering book shares candid personal insights into the challenges of living with OCD and the broadly applicable process he has been using to continually overcome it.  We have read about several different mental challenges, but never as a firsthand account written in such a detailed and self-disclosing fashion.  It reads like a page-turner novel that is coupled with a powerful process of improving one's ability to self-lead.  Jordan's Self-Action Leadership theory & model is applicable to all.  Thanks Jordan!"

Brad & Elizabeth Chappell
Husband, Father, Financial Advisor
Wife, Mother, Novelist


"As a high school English teacher who also facilitates a Student Leadership class, I was thrilled to learn about this insightful guide to self-leadership that can be used as a resource in classes just like mine.  Thank you, Jordan!  As an educator, it is encouraging to know that there are people out there like Dr. Jensen who are working hard to support administrators, teachers, parents, and students alike.  I am confident his message of Self-Action leadership will help to provide the guidance our youth so desperately need to become effective self-leaders and productive members of society."

Shannon Lindholm
High School Teacher, Magnolia High School, Magnolia Texas


"Dr. Jensen, through his experience teaching, brings to light the importance of teaching leadership and character inside the classroom.  Teachers will feel empowered to impact youth outside of prescribed curriculum through their better understanding of Self-Action Leadership."

James Fraser
Teacher & Coach, Caney Creek High School, Conroe, Texas