<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/" -->

---
title: Everyone’s the Boss
description: Can a hot new corporate management concept turn my household into a beacon of harmony?
canonical: https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/
author: Kristin van Ogtrop
article:opinion: true
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2015-05-28T10:02:37.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T08:57:04.275Z
article:section: Ideas
og:title: Everyone’s the Boss
og:description: Can a hot new corporate management concept turn my household into a beacon of harmony?
og:url: https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
og:image:width: 1200
og:image:height: 675
og:image:alt: TIME
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Everyone’s the Boss
twitter:description: Can a hot new corporate management concept turn my household into a beacon of harmony?
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
---

# Everyone's the Boss

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="b194be5c-23ae-412f-b343-547f4791290c" campaign="time-nl-network-2026q3" creative="time-nl-network-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: September 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=b194be5c-23ae-412f-b343-547f4791290c&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) |

Source: TIME, August 2026.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read.
*   All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=b194be5c-23ae-412f-b343-547f4791290c&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).
*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=b194be5c-23ae-412f-b343-547f4791290c&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=b194be5c-23ae-412f-b343-547f4791290c&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What newsletters does TIME publish?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Are TIME's newsletters free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes TIME's newsletters?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->


by 

[Kristin van Ogtrop](https://time.com/author/kristin-van-ogtrop-2/)


## Kristin van Ogtrop


May 28, 2015 10:02 AM UTC

by 

[Kristin van Ogtrop](https://time.com/author/kristin-van-ogtrop-2/)


## Kristin van Ogtrop


May 28, 2015 10:02 AM UTC

Whenever I’m confronted with a nutty-sounding idea from the Wonka factory that is corporate management theory, my first thought is, I’ve got to try this on my family!

Take Holacracy™, an innovative concept of questionable soundness that has taken the normally reliable shoe purveyor Zappos by storm. We won’t dwell on the fact that when you say “holacracy” out loud, it sounds like “whole lotta crazy.” After all, Holacracy™ appears great in theory: it’s a flat organizational structure that blows up the hierarchy of any group, replacing traditional reporting chains with things like distributed authority, governance meetings and de minimis allocation. Which is basically management gobbledygook for “nobody’s in charge.” Gone are the days of dictatorial CEOs! Gone, in fact, are CEOs altogether: Holacracy™ employees have no titles. They are all just “workers.” Think Oompa Loompas: mostly indistinguishable, all very busy, running around and distributing authority. Even Tony Hsieh, the person formerly known as the CEO of Zappos, is now a worker. Although he’s a worker who can order everyone around him to embrace Holacracy™, or else. Which would seem to violate the Holacracy™ constitution, but maybe I’m being too literal.

Still, can you take a radical corporate system and make it work at home? Knowing that all my sons want in life is to bike without helmets, eat Trader Joe’s frozen macaroni and cheese three times a day and play Xbox 360 until their eyeballs dry up and fall out, I was sure Holacracy™ would appeal to them. And for me, well, it’s pure exhaustion to constantly nag uninterested children in an effort to improve their lives. (They don’t care if their teeth fall out, so why should I?) Plus, like overlords and bosses the world over, I am fairly unpopular with the people under my rule. Perhaps a flat system would allow me to stop nagging, not to mention make everyone love me more. Sign me up!

Day 1: Excitement Considered calling family meeting to kick off Holacracy™ but instead sent 4,570-word email to troops as Worker Tony Hsieh did at end of March. Subject line: No More “Parents.” Hsieh gave his employees one month to either adopt Holacracy™ or take a package; I gave my family five days.


Day 2: Confusion Got off to rocky start as we spent morning arguing over what everyone would be called. Parent/child construct no longer appropriate. Sixteen-year-old lobbied for Omnipotent Hot Dude (him) and Incompetent Servants (everyone else). Had to keep explaining new system. Turns out 16-year-old did not read email (duh) and was not absorbing the concept of Holacracy™ but playing Dots on phone, which older people formerly known as Mom and Dad can no longer control. Eight-year-old crying by end of discussion because, as it turns out, he likes doing homework and being told when to go to bed.

Day 3: Euphoria Kids did not brush teeth, get dressed or eat anything not found in the snack aisle of Stop & Shop. No one answered when school attendance office called as no one thinks “answering phone” is an authority distributed in his direction. Eight-year-old still teary but beginning to see benefit of watching SpongeBob SquarePants all day. Husband and I undone by vast amount of free time created by not having to nag anyone. (Note to self: What is our purpose?!?)


Day 4: Conflict Giant dustup over who will feed dogs. Parents somehow blamed despite clear Holacracy™ rules dismantling leadership structure. Wiseacre 16-year-old claimed self-management means FIFA 14, Dots and skateboarding. Spied 8-year-old in tears again because TV has lost its charm and he’s worried he will forget everything he knows about subtraction. Attempts to reassure him that Common Core math is ridiculous anyway seemed to make things worse. Tried Holacracy™ practice of “processing tensions” but got distracted by dogs trying to turn on stove.

Day 5: Abandonment Woke up at noon to find kids had already left home. Devious 8-year-old used unlimited screen time to find home address of second-grade teacher, who appreciates structure, understands Common Core math and is younger and cuter than I am. Sixteen-year-old left house, trailed by dogs, in search of a ride to Shake Shack. Net result: significant portion of workforce took promised package. Exactly what happened at Zappos! But worse! Yes, Zappos lost 210 people, but that was only 14% of its employees.


And so we return to whole lotta crazy. While lovely in theory, Holacracy™ overlooks a fundamental fact: sometimes we just need someone else to be in charge. Maybe it’s a person making bad decisions at your office, or maybe it’s a mom nagging you to brush your teeth. But we all need someone we can disagree with, push against, complain about, resent. And roll our eyes at when she leaves the room, right before we go back to playing Dots on our phone.

_Van Ogtrop is the managing editor of Real Simple_

```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/"},"headline":"Everyone's the Boss","datePublished":"2015-05-28T10:02:37.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:57:04.275Z","description":"Can a hot new corporate management concept turn my household into a beacon of harmony?","url":"https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/","keywords":["Living"],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kristin van Ogtrop","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/kristin-van-ogtrop-2/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3899481/everyones-the-boss/","name":"Everyone's the Boss"}}]}]
```