I have been impacted by many teachers and leaders at this point in my journey. Some figure prominently on the horizon, folks like Coach Rake-physics, Charlie Bartrug-percussion, Dr. Scott Floyd-the human condition, Dr. Boo Heflin-Old Testament, Dr. Endel Lee-pastoring, this list could go on and on. I realized yesterday though that in the leadership landscape, the giant is Dr. Bob Agee.

Here’s why Dr. Agee is on my best leaders list:

1. He is passionate about and committed to his call. When you are with Dr. Agee you have no doubt about his commitment to the power transformative education for all ages. He leaves no doubt in his call to lead others to the knowledge of the Truth in Christ and in the world He has created. Do people really know what you are called to do?

2. He is passionately committed to people, which is inspiring. Dr. Agee possesses a genuine warmth with and for people. He is for you. He remembers you. Dr. Agee is driven, but not in a way that drives over people. You want to hop on the bus with him. You want to go for it and do all you can. A friend and I joked (much truth in jest!) yesterday after we heard Dr. Agee speak that we are certain we should be doing more. He inspires others to go for it.

3. He passionately and easily communicates his mission, vision, and values. Dr. Agee is clearly committed to an education that is one of Academic Excellence, and Unapologetically Christian. I was reminded yesterday of his unwavering method in communicating this message of his mission. This is a reminder to find your mission, vision and value, lock it in, and say it often.

4. He is the master of assembling and coaching the best from teams. Dr. Agee has the knack of finding the best people to serve on teams, turning them lose to do what they do best, inspiring them to work harder on themselves, and then catapulting them ahead to new and greater leadership and opportunity. The campus at Oklahoma Baptist University was filled with people who have been launched to great things in life because of this man.

5. As I heard yesterday, Dr. Agee has the unique ability of being a visionary, but also an implementor. I believe few leaders have this unique combo of being able to cast strong unwavering vision, but then lay the bricks one by one to fulfill that vision.

Thank you Dr. Agee for being the teacher I need in the classroom of leadership.