Publishers Weekly
05/30/2022
Brooks Running Company CEO Weber exhaustively recounts his career in this paradoxically snail’s-pace memoir. Having loved running since his fish-out-of-water, introverted Minnesota childhood, Weber was thrilled to be named president of Brooks Running in 2001 after being on its board, following a career at Pillsbury and Coleman. Through a mix of rebranding and marketing, he took the company from manufacturing a wide variety of sports shoes to doing running-only goods, leading it to an acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in 2006. Weber hashes out some recent trends in running (such as doing so in barefoot-shoes), how Brooks managed the pandemic, his bout with cancer (and his work toward recovery after it was “out of my body”), and Brooks’ DEI efforts. Though the chapters have some prescriptive names (“Becoming an authentic leader”), Weber makes little attempt to distill lessons from his experiences, and his “manifesto” includes such trite and familiar items as “own a niche” and “solve for profitability.” The frequent boasts about the company, meanwhile, seem better placed for a corporate pep rally, and the mild story of Weber’s life isn’t the kind of thing great books are made of. This leadership memoir’s too heavy on the memoir and too light on the leadership. (Apr.)
Kathy Dalby – CEO/Owner
'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.'
Sri Zaheer – Dean
'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.'
Kusum Ailawadi – Professor
'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.'
Bill George – Senior Fellow
'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.'
Hubert Joly – Former Chair & CEO
'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.'
Scott Jurek – Ultramarathon Champion and New York Times Bestselling Author of Eat & Run and NO
'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.'
Robin Thurston – CEO
'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.'
Seattle Kraken Tod Leiweke – CEO
'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.'
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Charlie Munger – Vice Chairman
'I regard Jim as a miracle worker. The institution is the length and shadow of this man.'
Des Linden – Boston Marathon Champion
'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.'
Bill George
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.”
CEO of the Seattle Kraken Tod Leiweke
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.”
Scott Jurek – Ultramarathon Champion and New York Times Bestselling Author of Eat & Run and NO
'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.'
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Charlie Munger – Vice Chairman
'I regard Jim as a miracle worker. The institution is the length and shadow of this man.'
Robin Thurston – CEO
'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.'
Kathy Dalby – CEO/Owner
'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.'
Des Linden – Boston Marathon Champion
'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.'
Kusum Ailawadi – Professor
'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.'
Bill George – Senior Fellow
'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.'
Seattle Kraken Tod Leiweke – CEO
'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.'
Hubert Joly – Former Chair & CEO
'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.'
Sri Zaheer – Dean
'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.'
