A ROADMAP TO BECOMING MORE PURPOSEFUL
As we become increasingly aware of how connected our businesses are with the societal and environmental systems around us, we need to find new ways to deal with the complex issues we face. The Design Council's Systemic Design Framework provides an approach to navigating these challenges.
The Systemic Design Framework encourages organisations to adopt a holistic perspective that brings into account the intricate relationships and dynamics within the systems they operate in. This approach is not just about solving individual problems, it's about identifying where interventions can create sustainable, meaningful change.
For businesses looking to be more purposeful, the framework provides a roadmap for creating an environment where positive impact can happen.
The Design Council’s Systemic Design Framework
Enabling an environment for change
Orientation and Vision Setting
Clarity about why this work is important is essential. The Systemic Design Framework encourages businesses to articulate their motivations clearly, aligning them with broader societal values, norms and goals. This step sets out the ground rules, values and principles that will guide the organisation towards purpose-driven objectives.
Leadership and Storytelling
Purposeful leadership extends beyond setting a vision - it's about embodying it. Leaders must authentically connect with the purpose driving their work, consistently embodying the organisation's values. Through open communication and storytelling, they support and inspire others to embrace purpose.
Connections and Relationships
Purposeful businesses build inclusive relationships with all stakeholders, and recognise how interconnected they are. By ensuring all voices are heard and valued, businesses tap into diverse perspectives, fostering innovation and collaboration. This extends to external partnerships, enabling the co-creation of solutions that tackle difficult challenges.
Continuing the Journey
Becoming a more purposeful business is an ongoing process of growth, iteration and adaptation. Celebrating successes, learning from failures, and sharing knowledge are vital components of this journey. By continually nurturing relationships and embarking on new projects, purposeful businesses amplify their impact.
Going through the process
Explore
Gather stakeholders to explore ideas and perspectives, deepening understanding of purpose and potential opportunities. Assess existing practices against purposeful ideals to identify areas for improvement.
Reframe
Synthesise gathered ideas into a compelling purpose and strategy through iteration and refinement. Articulate desired impact, redefine stakeholder relationships, and identify key actions to drive change.
Create
Develop a plan to operationalise purpose within the business and bring it to life. Engage stakeholders and assess feasibility, viability, and desirability of proposed changes across various aspects of the organisation.
Catalyze
Implement changes purposefully, fostering engagement and embedding purpose into the organizational culture. Measure impact, celebrate successes, and use assessments to fuel ongoing dialogue and improvement.
The Design Council's Systemic Design Framework empowers businesses to embrace complexity, foster collaboration, and drive sustainable change within broader systems. Adopting this approach can help conscious leaders guide their businesses towards a future where success is interconnected with positive societal and environmental outcomes.
As businesses navigate the complexities of the modern world, a purposeful approach guided by systemic design principles offers not only a path forward but also a promise of lasting impact. By weaving purpose into every facet of their operations, leaders can move beyond mere profitability, becoming agents of positive change in a world hungry for better.
Further Reading
You can read more about the framework on the Design Council website: https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-resources/systemic-design-framework/