If it's 'Not fit for Purpose' ... Re-purpose



If a system is 'not fit for purpose'  what do we do?


Well, with any system, the first thing we need to do is acknowledge one thing:


All systems do exactly what are they designed to do - even when poorly designed.


Thus the next thing we must do is 're-purpose' it:


  1. Define Purpose: clearly, strategically, and with all stakeholders - to maximise meaning and engagement, and minimise any unintended consequences.
  2. Build Purpose into the DNA: so it's built into every decision and action of the organisation / system.
  3. Build a Purposeful Learning Environment: continuously learn, innovate, improve, adapt.


The current education system is often described as 'not fit for purpose'. Our system of governance, of Government, the National Health Service and our economy, are often described this way too (e.g. the National Health Service is often referred to as a 'National Sickness Service').


Our recent article entitled 'The Economy of War' highlights some of the challenges being faced. An economy driven by money, wealth, power and asset accumulation - something Robert F. Kennedy Snr warned about over fifty years ago in this famous speech.


By repurposing we start to create Purposeful Governance, Purposeful Government, Purposeful Organisations, and a Purposeful Economy. The health service becomes a Purposeful Health Service, and the education system becomes Purposeful Education - creating Purposeful Learning Environments where life-long Purposeful Learners thrive, learn what it truly means to be human, become Purposeful Citizens, and build the necessary skills to flourish in the future.


Pipe dream? No this is entirely possible! ... with the right leadership, and communities of forward-looking people joining together to co-create it.



David Clift


Purposeful Ambassador®

Founder, Good Turns Foundation

Co-founder of Purposeful Britain and Purposeful World

 


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© 2026. David J. Clift.


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