The 2020 conference of the Humanistic Management Network was different from previous conferences as it was their first online conference and the driving force behind the conference format were contributions by Network Chapters from around the world. As we could not be together in one place at least we could virtually be in all the places where the Humanistic Management community is active. Consequently the 2020 conference theme, Unity in Diversity, had a dual connotation.
On one hand it described the decentral character of the online format to celebrate the diverse and rich community that forms the Humanistic Management Network and unites its members behind their shared purpose. As such, the Humanistic Management Network shows Unity in Diversity. On the other hand we found our world increasingly divided with ever more voices tuning in to toxic narratives of division, exclusion, suppression and aggression. We know these narratives are unable to guide us towards any desirable outcomes; we know that that which unites us is much bigger, stronger and more relevant than that which separates us. So this conference was geared towards showing that there is Unity in Diversity and how business can exercise agency to embrace and promote diversity to the benefit of all stakeholders involved.