The culture and values of an organisation define its identity and distinguish it in the marketplace. A humanistic culture places people at the heart of everything, prioritising their development, contributing to society, and protecting the environment. Leading with values is, ultimately, a way to shape a better world.

At Auren, this philosophy is embedded in everything we do. We foster a culture built on ethics, respect, and dialogue, designing services and initiatives that help create a fairer and more efficient society.

Auren Foundation has been central to this journey since the firm’s earliest days. Over the years, it has led numerous projects and publications aimed at improving organisational management—whether in businesses, charities, or the public sector—always with a human-centred approach and a commitment to meaningful change.

Recently, Auren Foundation launched Umanius, a series of thought papers exploring the concept of the humanistic enterprise. These publications address key themes such as culture, governance, purpose, and other pillars of a conscious and sustainable organisational model.

The name Umanius reflects the central role of people in management—valuing and respecting individuals, both as employees, the driving force of business activity, and as wider stakeholders with whom organisations engage.

A humanistic business is founded on respect for human rights and guided by ethics in decision-making. From these foundations emerge values that recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every individual.

Putting these values into practice shapes the way an organisation operates. Human resources policies are crucial, covering equality and inclusion, non-discrimination, training and development, and work-life balance. Yet the humanistic vision extends beyond HR: it must inform the entire management approach. Leadership should encourage dialogue and participation, prioritise teamwork over individualistic management, recognise contributions, and foster transparency and active listening.

Integrating these values requires genuine commitment from senior leaders. From a purely economic perspective, organisations that embrace them are also more efficient and resilient. A motivated team that feels valued will be more productive, creative, loyal, and ethically aligned with the organisation’s principles.

Looking beyond employees, an ethical and transparent approach—honouring commitments, protecting the environment, and acting responsibly towards the community—builds a strong reputation. Such a reputation opens doors to opportunities and fosters trust with clients, suppliers, and society at large.

Public awareness of the role of business in the economy and in people’s lives is growing. This explains the increasing focus on ESG issues—environmental, social, and governance factors—within the broader concept of sustainability. The future depends on meeting these challenges.

Auren’s humanistic culture is deeply embedded in our organisation—not only because of our ethical commitment, but because we believe it is the most effective way to achieve excellence. Over the years, Auren Foundation has published numerous works reflecting this approach.

Umanius is a clear expression of business humanism: rigorous in content yet accessible and engaging. We invite you to explore it via this link.

Antoni Gómez
International Past President