Anita talked with Michael Pirson, Professor and Felix E. Larkin Chair for Humanistic Management at Fordham University's Gabelli School of Management, about humanistic management and its applications in business education. Michael explained how humanistic management seeks to honor intrinsic value beyond market pricing by creating life-conducive economic systems that promote human dignity and social well-being. They discussed examples of successful organizations operating under humanistic principles, including cooperatives and regenerative agriculture projects, and explored how business scholars can better study and share stories of organizational success. The conversation also touched on challenges in major cities like New York, the role of AI in business, and Michael's optimism about creating meaningful human connections and authentic spaces for purpose-driven management at scale.

Humanistic Management

Michael began his scholarly journey at studying at St. Gallen University in Switzerland, where he received a classical business education.  Anita asked Michael about how this journey progressed from that inception to humanistic management at Fordham University.  Michael explained that he was initially exposed to ideas of humanistic management at St. Gallen, and then sought to develop them as he investigated how to honor intrinsic value beyond market pricing by focusing on creating systems that support human dignity and social well-being while being life-conducive.  One of the long-standing approaches that Michael learned at St. Gallen that has continued to permeate his thinking is in connecting academic scholars with practitioners, policymakers, and cultural leaders.

Academic Storytelling

Michael and Anita discussed the need to improve storytelling in academia to better communicate the ways in which business can transform and elevate lives. Michael emphasized the importance of studying and highlighting successful organizations that demonstrate human and planetary flourishing, suggesting collaboration with filmmakers and journalists to create more engaging content. He provided examples of such organizations, including Mondragon and Sekem in Egypt, while noting the challenge of publishing qualitative research on positive examples in academic journals.  Michael also described principles of biodynamic and regenerative agriculture as humanistic and practical. He highlighted how smaller, mid-sized companies and family businesses often succeed by respecting people and avoiding exploitation in contrast with business models of limited liability and profit maximization.

Affordable Housing and AI Solutions

Michael and Anita discussed challenges in creating affordable and livable cities, with Michael suggesting a resurgence in cooperative housing as a solution. They also explored the role of AI in education and society. Michael called for the need to use technology productively while maintaining human connection and meaningful work. The conversation concluded with Michael expressing optimism about humanity's potential for creating authentic and purposeful connections at scale.