Evergreen Journal by Tugboat Institute

05/26/2026

A four-day workweek can sound like a simple trade: less time, less output. But what if the equation isn’t that simple?

In this article, Ben MacAskill of Awesome shares what happened after a 15-month experiment moving to a 32-hour workweek, and why the company decided to make it permanent.

The most interesting takeaway isn’t just about fewer hours. It’s about what teams discovered when they were forced to rethink productivity, eliminate what wasn’t creating value, and focus on what mattered most.

Read this story and explore hundreds of practical insights from People First leaders at Evergreen companies in EJ+.
👉https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/our-four-day-workweek-experiment/

05/12/2026

Many of us grew up with Highlights for Children sitting on the kitchen table, quietly shaping how we learned to think, imagine, and see the world.

What’s perhaps less known is the remarkable story behind the company — and how it has remained purpose-driven across generations.

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Kent Johnson shares how Highlights for Children has expanded beyond its beloved children’s magazine into a diversified global organization while staying anchored to its deeper Purpose: helping children become their best selves.

If you’d like to watch Kent’s inspiring story, subscribe to Evergreen Journal Plus (EJ+) and gain access to this conversation along with hundreds of other talks and articles sharing real examples of how Evergreen® leaders build businesses that last for generations.

👉https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/purpose-at-highlights/

05/05/2026

You know the little red wagon.

But the story behind Radio Flyer is what sets it apart.

Named Tugboat Institute's 2025 Evergreen Company of the Year®, this exemplary company demonstrates what it takes to build for the long term.

Hear from Chief Wagon Officer and 3rd generation leader Robert Pasin about the choices that made it possible: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/profit-and-people/

04/28/2026

At KLN Family Brands, CEO and third-generation leader Charlie Nelson didn’t just read Matthew Kelly's The Dream Manager, he was moved enough to put its premise into practice.

What followed is a thoughtful, intentional investment in and beyond their employees’ work lives, one that’s strengthening retention and well-being in a very real way.

This is what People First looks like in practice.

Subscribe to Evergreen Journal Plus to read the full story and more like it.

https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/the-dream-manager/

04/24/2026

Jim Gilmore is the co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and the co-author of The Experience Economy and Look: A Toolkit for Making Better Decisions. As a pioneer in the study of consumer experiences and observational methods, Jim has spent decades helping organizations see the world, and their opportunities, more clearly.

In this Tugboat Institute talk, Jim challenges the modern habit of screen-induced tunnel vision, arguing that true innovation begins with active, intentional observation of our immediate surroundings. He introduces his "Six Looking Glasses" framework—metaphorical tools ranging from binoculars to blindfolds—designed to help leaders sharpen their looking skills and overcome confirmation bias. He demonstrates how spotting a simple detail in the everyday environment can lead to transformative breakthroughs.

Subscribe to Evergreen Journal Plus to access this talk and many others from Evergreen thought leaders—offering practical insights to sharpen your thinking and support long-term, purpose-driven success.

Watch now: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/innovation-begins-with-observation/

04/16/2026

Growth is necessary for survival.
It’s also dangerous when it becomes the only measure of success.

In this article, Chris Weekley of David Weekley Homes shares how they’ve approached this tension—not by asking whether to grow, but how.

From reframing their company’s primary goal around families served rather than revenue, to aligning their team around a shared journey, it offers a practical look at what Evergreen growth can look like inside a scaling organization.

At its core, the piece invites a more fundamental question:
What form of growth makes our purpose more real to the people who carry it forward?

The full article is available in Evergreen Journal Plus (EJ+)—subscribe to read this and other stories from Evergreen leaders.
👉 https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/growth-metrics-and-leadership/

04/07/2026

In seasonal industries, the cycle is accepted: hire when demand rises, lay off when it falls.

But what if that isn’t the only way?

For nearly four decades, Ryan Lawn & Tree has taken a different path—keeping their team employed year-round and using slower seasons to invest in development and long-term strength.

An approach that simply feels right—and helps build a team that lasts.

Read the full article—and explore more insights from leaders building People First companies—by subscribing to EJ+.

👉 https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/honoring-the-dignity/

04/01/2026

In this Tugboat Institute talk, Amy Bonsall draws on her experience at IDEO to reframe uncertainty—not as something to rush through, but as an essential ingredient for creative growth. She challenges the language of “experiments,” which can carry heavy expectations and shut down creativity, and instead introduces “light actions”—small, curiosity-driven steps that open the door to learning.

By shifting toward these lighter actions, leaders can foster a mindset of Pragmatic Innovation, where the goal is not immediate results, but deeper insight into what actually works. The result is teams that think more creatively, build trust, and move forward with greater confidence.

This talk is just one example of the hundreds of Evergreen insights available on EJ+. And as an exclusive subscriber benefit, Amy will be leading a live, interactive session on May 12 to go deeper into these ideas.

Subscribe to EJ+ to access this talk, join the live session, and receive weekly Evergreen insights from thought leaders like Amy.

👉Subscribe and watch here: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/uncertainty-friend-or-foe/

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Amy Bonsall draws on her experience at IDEO to argue that uncertainty is an essential […]

03/24/2026

Growth, when done well, is rarely about speed, it’s about intention.

In this article, Mike Craven of Red River Lumber shares a clear example of paced growth rooted in principle: expanding capabilities, integrating thoughtfully, and pausing when needed to strengthen the foundation. From a single location to a family of complementary businesses, their journey reflects what it means to build a company that lasts—purpose-led, people-first, and committed to getting better, not just bigger. A thoughtful perspective on how discipline, culture, and long-term thinking shape enduring success.

Read the full story and explore hundreds of Evergreen leadership articles like this on Evergreen Journal Plus (EJ+). Subscribe and receive fresh, thought provoking content in your inbox each week.

👉 Read more: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/growing-up-paced-growth/

01/27/2026

In this Tugboat Institute® talk, Ashley Russo, CEO of Magnaplate and President of ASR Media, explores the unique tension of leading two highly contrasting industries and shares how these seemingly different worlds inform one another in unexpected ways. By harmonizing her family’s multi-generational heritage with her own entrepreneurial drive, Ashley provides a compelling perspective on what it means to honor a professional legacy while courageously founding your own.

👉 Watch and be inspired: https://www.tugboatinstitute.com/founder-meets-legacy/

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