Running with Purpose
“Jim’s passionate story will inspire you just as it inspired me in 2012 to recognize that he would make Brooks a stand-alone star at Berkshire.”
Warren Buffett
Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
In Running with Purpose, you will find a highly engaging read with insights, inspirational stories, and tangible takeaways for current and aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, brand builders, and especially the 150+ million runners worldwide and those in the broader running community who continually invest in themselves and put positive energy into the world.
The untold David vs. Goliath challenger brand story in which Brooks’ bold strategy and unique brand positioning fueled its move from the back of the pack to lead.
The key to building a purpose-driven brand that is oriented around customer obsession, building trust, competing with heart, and having fun along the way.
The six clear leadership lessons Jim has learned along his path and applies at Brooks to help managers at all levels develop into authentic leaders.
How Berkshire Hathaway’s support and influence provided a tailwind for Brooks’ business and brand to surge.
A revealing look at the ups and downs of Jim’s personal journey, which led to his conviction that life is too short not to enjoy what you do and the people by your side.
Praise for Running with Purpose
Running with Purpose is a master class in focus, tenacity, team building, innovation, and culture. While I have known Jim Weber for many years, I can only now understand the depth of the struggles he faced on his way to being one of the great leaders of a generation and creating a brand that has motivated millions of runners to Run Happy. I can say with certainty that all managers and leaders will find helpful tools in this book to build their businesses for success.”
Robin Thurston – CEO, Outside, Inc.
Jim Weber beautifully demonstrates the power and joy of leading with purpose and authenticity and how it can create stunning business results while being a force for good. A wonderful book that is both inspiring and very practical.”
Hubert Joly – Former Chair & CEO, Best Buy Co., Inc., and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Heart of Business
Running with Purpose is a master class in focus, tenacity, team building, innovation, and culture. While I have known Jim Weber for many years, I can only now understand the depth of the struggles he faced on his way to being one of the great leaders of a generation and creating a brand that has motivated millions of runners to Run Happy. I can say with certainty that all managers and leaders will find helpful tools in this book to build their businesses for success.”
Robin Thurston – CEO, Outside, Inc.
Over the last twenty years as a Brooks athlete, I’ve watched Jim Weber turn a gasping business into a champion in the industry by not just being a CEO who wants to win the race, but one who leads from the front and brings out the best in everyone. His captivating career path proves that passion + precision elevates performance every time.”
Scott Jurek – Ultramarathon Champion and New York Times Bestselling Author of Eat & Run and NORTH
Running with Purpose is as inspirational, insightful, and educational as the company it features and the leader who wrote it. The story of how Brooks rose from the ashes to become a force in running is full of important lessons on both formulating and executing strategy. Read it to learn how performance brands and great teams are built, and how successful leadership requires not just vision but courage and discipline.”
Kusum Ailawadi – Professor, Tuck School of Business, and Co-author of Getting Multichannel Distribution Right
I regard Jim as a miracle worker. The institution is the length and shadow of this man.”
Charlie Munger – Vice Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
About Jim Weber
Author, Running with Purpose
Jim Weber joined Brooks Running Company as CEO in 2001 and is credited for the Seattle-based running company’s aggressive turnaround story. The business and brand success caught the attention of Warren Buffett, who declared Brooks a standalone subsidiary company of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in 2012.
Weber’s professional journey includes leadership roles for several consumer product brands such as chairman and CEO of Sims Sports, president of O’Brien International, vice president of The Coleman Company, and various roles with The Pillsbury Company. Weber was also managing director of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Seattle Investment Banking practice and a commercial banking officer at Norwest Bank Minneapolis (now Wells Fargo). He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and a Master of Business Administration degree with high distinction from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.