Student Missions Mantras

When it comes to lists of values or vision statements, I like what Guy Kawasaki has said - mantras trump mission statements. B and C and I have been spending the last few weeks on some student missions mantras. My hope isn't that these leaders adopt our mantras but they can if they really want. A better option for them would be to come up with their own list. And then, hopefully, those mantras drive strategy, execution and systems. Here's a quick list of mantras that Ember holds to - this is what we value and why we do what we do.

Catalyst is the primary paradigm.
In every apple, there is an orchard. [Alan Hirsch]
Context and culture matter.
Leadership identification and engagement is 25% of your job. [Bobby Clinton]
Start with the starters and sponges.
Get the right people on the bus. [Jim Collins]
The Gospel comes to you on its way to someone else [Alex McManus]
Students can be taught to live like missionaries in their own culture.

Note that some of them are indeed stolen. After you steal them, then systematize them.