Decurion’s purpose, the fundamental reason it exists, is to provide a place for people to flourish and to enhance the community. We believe that every human being has something unique to express. We seek to create the conditions in which that expression will emerge. Flourishing is the process of living into one’s unique contribution. It is the process of becoming oneself. We expect to do this through our work. And by demonstrating the efficacy of our practices in generating financial and developmental returns, we expect to inspire and guide other companies in making work more successful and more humane. In this way, we seek to enhance the community by changing society for the better.

Our axioms are fundamental beliefs about people and work.

• We believe that work is meaningful, that work gives meaning to people’s lives. For us, meaning comes from developing oneself, creating something excellent and enduring, and contributing to other people.
• We believe that people are not only means but also ends in themselves. Most businesses view people (employees, customers, suppliers, and others) as a means to some end, such as completing a transaction or meeting a goal. We feel that reducing people to a role in a process dehumanizes them. While honoring the roles they play, we approach people as fellow human beings, as ends in themselves.
• We believe that people naturally develop. Much of the literature on development ends with the teenage years. But we know that adults continue to develop. Our infrastructures and practices create conditions that pull people into greater levels of complexity and wholeness.

Some years ago, we made explicit the values that guide our company. They are:

• Excellence: If we can’t be proud of it, we don’t want to do it.
• Respect: We feel a responsibility to treat people with fairness and decency.
• Clock Building: We believe in managing and building this company to last at least through the next century.
• Servant Leadership: We feel an obligation to contribute to the communities in which we operate.
• Learning: We believe in providing an opportunity for individuals to develop, grow, and contribute.
• Compassion: We care about people.

Decurion does not require that employees share its values or beliefs. We do not seek to impose our beliefs on others. In fact, we encourage questioning and recognize that wisdom begins in not knowing. We do, however, require that people adhere to our purpose and values when they act in or on behalf of the company. Building meaning into work, treating others as ends, creating conditions for development, excellence, clock building, servant leadership, respect, learning, and compassion are not ideals to which we aspire. They are standards for action and requirements of behavior.