What historians actually do - humanity in management and organizational history

In this anniversary essay, we argue that the traditional, often sterile methods of historical investigation in management- and organizational history have left out some of the most essential ingredients: creativity, empathy, emotions and collectivity. These human traits, we suggest, are not just nice to have. They are critical components of any serious historian’s toolkit. Far too often, historical analysis is seen as a purely rational exercise, devoid of the messy, emotional engagement that is key to historical methods. We challenge this notion, proposing that creativity, emotions, intuition, and collectivity are not just incidental. They are heuristics that allow historians to uncover and nuance the past. We humorously, yet seriously, advocate for a more human-centered approach to historical inquiry, one that embraces the full spectrum of human traits that drive us to uncover, understand, and sometimes even fall in love with the past. So, as we celebrate another milestone for Management and Organizational History, we would like its future authors and contributors to remember that historical investigation is not just a science, but an inherently human endeavor – one that thrives on empathy, creativity, and the occasional unplanned discovery.