Biblical Foundation for…

Personal Leadership Effectiveness™ is the skill of leading or governing yourself to your fullest potential and desired level of success. Everyone’s “PLE Factor” is built upon 10 core Character Competencies and four primary Behavioral Traits. This document has been created for the purpose of presenting the biblical foundation for the 10 core Character Competencies known worldwide as the MAXIMIZERS Principles™. Each of the 10 Character Competencies contributes to the healthy development of a person’s Attitudes – Beliefs – Commitments.

Impacting and Transforming Cultures… One Life at a Time!

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

1

The Power Behind the Principles Born again Christians and pure secularists too often have nearly identical values systems in the western world today. That sentiment echoed by studies done by Gallup, Barna and other pollsters speaks volumes. Though there are many vibrant believers around the world, the level of spiritual complacency and mediocrity is epidemic. More than ever we are in a battle for the minds and souls of men and women and we are losing the battle. The salt isn’t that salty anymore and there isn’t enough leaven to bake the Christian community into the likeness of Jesus. This incredible reality has driven me personally to want to enlist, equip, empower and engage believers in Christ to step up, take biblical discipleship and spiritual transformation seriously, and begin to reach out into the culture with godly truth in a loving, relational, positive and penetrating way. We must take spiritual transformation seriously and reach out into the culture to create a thirst and an appetite for Christ by teaching biblical principles in non-biblical language to engage people at every level of the culture. Our “discipleship” strategy is rooted in the relational process of personal coaching, wherein we provide opportunities for the people we coach to ask questions about these biblical principles that are not immediately recognizable as such. At some point in every coaching relationship we gain leverage and build trust with the person we are coaching and the hope is that they will feel comfortable enough to ask relevant questions about salvation through a relationship with Jesus. This is new paradigm or way of looking at evangelism. Historically, we’ve started with the person of Jesus and sought to disciple those who made decisions in the principles of God’s Word. I am suggesting an intentional reversal to this paradigm: start with the principles of the Word couched in culturally relevant concepts and language, and thereby move people to the person of Christ.

This new paradigm has three strengths: 1. It gives people a new grid of solid biblical principles to build into their lives regardless of their spiritual

condition.

2. It offers countless opportunities for unbelievers to wrestle with the truths of the Bible and to be introduced to Christ as they are trained in principles that will contribute to their authentic success, personally and professionally.

3. It creates lasting relationships that increase the likelihood of new believers being assimilated into churches, small groups and ministry organizations.

In this document you will be introduced to the biblical basis for the MAXIMIZERS Principles. These are the ten core “Character-based” principles that are at the foundation of everything that we do. The following verse from the Book of Ezra in the Old Testament neatly summarizes the model we use in personal development and in our work developing others.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10.

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

2

What is Authentic Success?

Many times believers react to the word success with comments like “God is calling us to be faithful not successful.” While I clearly agree that we are called to faithfulness (Matt. 25:21), the Scripture puts great emphasis on success and even defines it for us. (I encourage you to review Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1.)

In fact, every time the word “blessed” is used in the Bible it really means holistic success. God wants you to succeed. The crucial point is succeeding as He defines it. One of the best passages in the Bible on such success is Colossians 1:9-12. Read this and study the flow of knowing God’s will, gaining Biblical knowledge and wisdom, and then being and doing what God asks of you. As you begin this Personal Leadership Effectiveness development process write down your own definition of success and reflect on your own successes and failures relative to that definition. Don’t forget that success is more than power, prosperity, position, prestige or pleasure. When thinking about the issue of success in their own lives people will often express feelings of failure, especially considering that making a contribution and achieving completeness are components to true success. The wisdom teachings in the Book of Proverbs were very influential to the development of the 10 MAXIMIZERS Principles. In those teachings we see elements of authentic biblical success in all the verses dealing with the positive and negative results of fearing God and keeping His commandments, beginning with Proverbs 1:2-20, and 2:1-22. The four topical categories with some of the Proverbs references are listed below. They indicate just how extensively Proverbs addresses various aspects of authentic biblical success.

Blessed—3:13; 5:18; 8:32,34; 10:7; 20:7,21; 22:9; 28:14

Fear of the Lord—1:7,29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 14:26,27; 15:16,33; 19:23; 22:4

Happy—3:18; 14:21; 29:18

Instruction—1:2,3,7,8; 4:1,2,13; 5:12,23; 8:10,33; 10:17; 23:23; 24:32

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

3

The MAXIMIZERS Principles

The ABC’s of Living

The MAXIMIZERS Principles are the foundation of a Life*time Operating System that has been helpful to thousands of people. However, it can be overwhelming for some people to get their minds around ten principles at one time. So rather than focusing on the acrostic, focus on the big idea of the ABC’s for Living with an emphasis in life skills. As you work through these principles keep going back to the ABC’s for Living as seen in our MAXIMIZERS Pyramid. You might say that just as there are ABC’s for Learning so there are ABC’s for Living. The ABC’s are our Attitudes, Beliefs and Commitments. If you will remember this and the statements I’ve listed in bold after each ABC below, you will have a memory hook that will help you understand where each of the MAXIMIZERS Principles fits. Just as there are ABC’s for Learning, there are ABC’s for Living. The overall flow is as follows:

A…Attitudes - Develop a winning attitude

M Make Things Happen

A Achieve Personal Significance

X X-Out the Negatives

B…Beliefs - Clarify and live out my core beliefs

I Internalize Right Principles

M March to a Mission

C…Commitments - Make and keep significant commitments to myself and others

I Integrate ALL of Life

Z Zero In on Caring for People

E Energize Internally

R Realign Rigorously

S Stay the Course

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

4

MAXIMIZERS™

The Foundational Principles

These non-negotiable principles serve as an organizing system that can help you to succeed in an authentic way. They are grouped as follows:

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

5

MAXIMIZERS Principles Overview Biblical Foundation

Make Things Happen

Teaches how to be proactive, create core habits and personal discipline. This principle deals with eliminating a victim mentality and taking responsibility for developing the kind of discipline and new habits that lead to healthy thinking and job performance. This principle gives a person the confidence and understanding that they are in control of their own attitudes and actions. 1 Timothy 4:7 says “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is where Paul unpacks how we are to “run in such a way as to win” by practicing “self-control” and “buffeting our body.” John 15:7 commands us to “abide in Christ and have His Word abide in us.” These all underscore the power of and need for these principles. We need godly discipline built on applying the principles from the Word of God in our lives.

Hebrews 12:11 - For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Achieve Personal Significance

Teaches how to build an accurate self-image. This principle deals with the development of a healthy self-concept. The process of seeing your innate value and significance is balanced with the development of humility and the proper handling of criticism. Many personal conflicts and much stress come from an improper view of oneself, which leads to an individual not maximizing his or her personal potential.

Psalm 139:13-16 - For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Romans 12:3 - For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

6

X-Out the Negatives

Teaches how to embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities. This principle addresses what a positive attitude is and how to cultivate it in multiple areas of life. Negative emotions and attitudes can cause stress that can seriously handicap an individual’s performance. Runaway stress and emotions managed properly can be turned into positive energy as long as one can identify the weaknesses exposed and then strive to overcome

them.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

James 1:2-4 - Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Internalize Right Principles

Teaches how to drive your actions by your values. Learning to build a value system around foundational principles is crucial. Without such alignment the constant inner turmoil of wanting to do the right thing but not being able to do it becomes stressful mentally, emotionally and physically.

Colossians 3:12-14 - Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Deuteronomy 16:19-20 - You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Luke 10:27 - And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all of your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

March to a Mission

Teaches how to be mission-minded in all areas of your life. This principle addresses how to achieve the goals and vision that are reflected in a person’s ultimate desire. A clear sense of mission has been documented by research over the years as vital for personal wellness and preventing mental and physical illness. People lose hope when they don’t have a sense of vision for their lives.

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

7

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Proverbs 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Acts 20:24 - However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Integrate All of Life

Teaches how to balance priorities, attitudes and goals in all areas of life. When individuals get out of balance and lose control they become highly susceptible to distress, anger and fear, depression and even burnout. There is a deep need to rebuild personal balance for individuals to maximize their productivity, overall job performance and personal contribution to the team.

Ephesians 5:15-17 - Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Luke 12:42-46 - And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.”

I Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I Timothy 3:2-3 - Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Zero In on Caring for People

Teaches how to maintain unity in all relationships. Research studies are quite clear, unhealthy relationships are highly stressful and lead ultimately to mental, emotional and physical illness. Clearly, the development of relational skills such as listening, empathizing, resolving conflict, anger management and encouraging others is essential to overall health and productivity.

Colossians 3:15-17 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 12:4-5 - For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Philippians 2:3 - Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Romans 14:19 - So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building.

PLE Biblical Foundation ©Dr. Ron Jenson MAXIMIZERS

™ Principles Future Achievement International

®

8

Energize Internally

Teaches how to live a centered character-based lifestyle. People need to get back to this taproot principle of cultivating their character. As true character is developed an individual becomes “in sync.” Our outward behavior begins to flow from our inward character. That is what constitutes true “integrity” in a person.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your pathways.

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 15:13-15 - A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Realign Rigorously

Teaches how to accept change and make mid-course corrections. Most people are constantly trying to prove the illusion that “life is supposed to be easy.” This principle teaches people how to face the obstacles and difficulties of life and how to make appropriate mid-course corrections. This learning process mitigates the emotional stress created by the fear of the unknown. We can’t predict the future, but we can have a strategy for coping with it.

James 1:2-4 - Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

John 16:33b - In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Proverbs 3:11-12 - My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5-6 - My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every child whom He receives.

Stay the Course

Teaches how to remain focused on what is important and never give up. The American Management Association has indicated that the most universal Character Competency of successful leaders is that they just don’t quit. Those who succeed at creating healthy, dynamic lives personally and professionally will fail occasionally, but they fail forward. They learn to stick with it and persist, focusing on the roots of building right principles into their lives.

Psalm 89:33 - But I will not remove from Him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.

II Timothy 2:10 - For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

Philippians 3:12-14 - Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.