Why purpose matters to me

Purpose drives life, not just scientifically through evolution, but it helps give life meaning. This is important, as purpose is not innate, it is something we have to find ourselves. Finding the purpose of life, is the greatest blessing, yet also the toughest challenge. This is where values help define what matters most, which can then inform the aim of life/purpose.  

Everyone’s purpose and values are different, but to me, purpose means helping others, as I believe playing the individual game may give me comfort but not the satisfaction out of life. Major corporates are in the position to help others, and they do that by employing people, but I think they should go further.  

I expect all businesses to effectively address underlying vulnerabilities in their communities, and the first step is to make this part of their purpose. Companies should define their purpose outside of making money, what community issue do we really want to tackle?  

When a social mission is added to the purpose of a business, it becomes incorporated into what they do and resonates with customers. We are entering an era where caring for the people and the planet we live on has never been more important to customers, and now is the time for businesses to put it on their agenda, not for the corporate tick box but for the greater good.  

Things like poverty, addiction and unemployment. These problems still persist, yes they will not vanish, but we can do better. How can we do better? By working together to first value these issues as problems in our community, and then by making our purpose or mission to address these issues.  

For me, homelessness in my community (Southampton) is huge, and it is only by walking the streets and speaking to these individuals that you can grasp the context surrounding the issue. I think understanding these problems from the people facing them is how we bridge the gap to collectively value and make it our purpose to take action. 

Samuel Inkster, University of Southampton student and Purpose Lab student ambassador