Humanistic leadership is a values-based approach that centers on human dignity, ethical responsibility, and relational engagement in guiding organizations and people. Drawing from humanistic psychology and ethical management traditions, it offers a compelling alternative to transactional or purely performance-driven models by focusing on trust, authenticity, and individual flourishing. Influenced by the foundational work of Maslow, Rogers, and May—and expanded by Melé, Pirson, Gotsis, and others—humanistic leadership has evolved into a flexible, globally relevant philosophy. It emphasizes self-awareness, ethical decision-making, and the responsibility to foster organizational and social well-being. This approach has been adapted in diverse cultural contexts, including Buddhist, Islamic, and Confucian leadership traditions. Increasingly relevant in the face of global sustainability challenges, AI-driven change, and shifting workforce expectations, humanistic leadership is recognized for its transformative potential. At the same time, scholars have raised concerns about its pragmatic viability, definitional clarity, and difficulty measuring outcomes in fast-paced or highly data-driven environments. As the field of leadership continues to evolve, humanistic leadership offers not a fixed formula but a guiding compass for those seeking to align purpose, performance, and human potential.