Running with Purpose

This leadership memoir starts with Jim Weber's seventh-grade dream to run a successful company that delivered something people passionately valued. Fast forward to 2001, Jim Weber became the CEO of Brooks. He was on his way to fulfilling his dream, but he faced strong headwinds. Jim was the struggling brand's fourth CEO in two years, and the staff betting pool had him lasting four months.

A lifelong competitor, Jim devised a one-page strategy that he believed would not only save the company but would also lay the foundation for Brooks to become a leading brand in the athletic, fitness, and outdoor categories. To succeed, Jim had to get his team to first believe it was possible and then employ the conviction, fortitude, and constancy of purpose to out-execute much larger brands. Brooks' success was validated when Warren Buffett made it a standalone Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary in 2012.

In the pages of Running with Purpose, you will find:

The untold David vs. Goliath challenger brand story in which Brooks's 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 riveting inside 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.

Running with Purpose is a highly engaging read with insights, inspirational stories, and tangible takeaways for current and aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, Berkshire Hathaway enthusiasts, 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.

This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with Harper Collins Leadership

Book club questions for Running with Purpose by Jim Weber

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

What careers did you envision for yourself growing up? What professional goals did you have? How do those early dreams play a role in your career today?

“Sustained focus coupled with purpose is essential to success.” How has this proven true in your business? How do you avoid the distraction of “bright, shiny objects” that are adjacent to but not essential to your company’s mission?

What is your business’s “North Star” or greater purpose? How does that focus help to authenticate your brand?

What is your brand positioning relative to others in your industry? How does your company differentiate itself? Are there opportunities to better connect with the minds and hearts of your customers in ways that will make your brand stand out even more?

How do you strike a balance between hitting financial targets and innovating for customers? Have you experienced any of the consequences Weber describes due to focusing too much on the former?

What risks have you taken in your career that backfired? What did you learn from those leadership mistakes? How did you help your business recover?

Weber writes, “When times get tough, people’s true values are often revealed.” How has this belief played out in your business and in your personal life? What are the true values you’ve repeatedly returned to during difficult times?

Weber describes life as a journey that’s about the satisfaction of the race—not the finish line itself. What helps you enjoy your journey? What makes life good and worth living?

How has learning about the business trajectory of Brooks influenced your understanding of running generally? Likewise, how can your business influence the way your customers understand and value the service or product you offer?

When are you at your best as a leader? What motto best summarizes your approach to leadership and life?

Running with Purpose Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Running with Purpose discussion questions

'As a long-time Brooks athlete, it's been easy to draft off the brand's approach of reaching for the biggest goals regardless of being labeled the underdog. Jim Weber goes beyond the goal and gives readers the hows and whys behind the company's success. This book will motivate and guide those looking to have a breakthrough performance and solidifies my belief that Weber is one of the greatest leaders in business.' -- Des Linden – Boston Marathon Champion

'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.

'Jim Weber is one of the great brand leaders of today. He has carefully shaped the Brooks experience to honor the legacy of running and Brooks customers. This is a definitive story of what can happen when you zero in on the essence of your customers' beliefs and then build a brand and culture of passion around that.' -- Tod Leiweke – CEO, Seattle Kraken

'Jim's message will resonate with anyone, whether you run or not. His judgment, focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing, and efforts to foster a culture of fun in the workplace have led to some of the most impressive business results around. There is much to learn from this engaging read.' -- Sri Zaheer – Dean, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, and Board Chair, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

'Whether you are an entrepreneur setting out with your first brick-and-mortar or running a global corporation, the learnings from Jim Weber's fascinating story will help any leader frame their strategy for success. Jim's tale of how he built Brooks to become the market leader among giants is an inspiring reminder that when you lead with heart and remain steadfast to even a lofty vision, there are no limits to what you can accomplish.' -- Kathy Dalby – CEO/Owner, Pacers Running, and Industry Leader

'Jim Weber's remarkable new book chronicles his amazing success story with Brooks Running, inspired by his authentic leadership and his crucible in overcoming a life-threatening bout with cancer. His openness and insights make Running with Purpose a must-read book for everyone.' -- Bill George – Senior Fellow, Harvard Business School, former Chair & CEO, Medtronic, and author of Discover Your True North