Running with Purpose

Brooks Running Company went from a struggling business to a billion-dollar brand in one of the most crowded running markets in the world, and this leadership memoir tells how its chief executive, Jim Weber, made that happen. The story opens with a goal Weber had held since seventh grade: to build a company that people truly cared about.

When Weber took over as CEO in 2001, few expected him to last. Brooks had already gone through four chief executives in two years, and colleagues had wagered that he would be gone within four months. Weber, a lifelong competitor, responded with a single page of strategy. It was meant to rescue the company and lay the groundwork for Brooks to become a leading name in athletic, fitness, and outdoor products.

The real challenge was getting his team to believe the goal was achievable at all. Once they did, they needed conviction, endurance, and a steady focus on their purpose to outperform rivals many times their size. Brooks' progress was confirmed in 2012, when Warren Buffett brought the company in as a standalone subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

The book combines personal stories, practical lessons, and takeaways for current and aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as Berkshire Hathaway followers. It is especially aimed at the more than 150 million runners around the world and the wider running community, people who keep investing in themselves and bringing positive energy to the world.