WHE031 - Building a High-Performance and Health-Driven Culture at Trek Bikes

The organizations that are most successful in building a culture of health begin at the top, with key leaders championing a vision that includes the wellbeing of every employee. In this episode, Jesse interviews John Burke, CEO of Trek Bikes, who took a stand 13 years ago that launched a culture that has produced improvements in employee health every year since then. Trek Bikes grew out of one man's belief that he could build a different kind of company. In a barn in southern Wisconsin, Dick Burke instilled the simple principles that continue to guide the company as it has grown into a worldwide brand: build things that last and leave a legacy of positive change. Dick's son John Burke began working at Trek in 1984 and has been president of the company since 1997. Jesse and John discuss: •What makes Trek different from other high-end bike makers; •How Trek got started; •How John joined Trek and eventually came to lead the company; •Why John decided to do something to make the country better; •The problems-and-solutions approach that John teaches as one way to create a high-performing team; •How Trek makes sure it has the best people; •How Trek creates a positive culture, including developing its leaders; and •Why John decided to create a culture of health within Trek, and how they did it. John Burke is president of Trek Bikes. He is also the author of two books: 12 Simple Solutions to Save America and One Last Great Thing. John served as chairman of President George W. Bush's President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and is a Founding Board Member of the Bikes Belong Coalition. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, John is an avid cyclist and runner and has finished Ironman Wisconsin as well as the Boston and New York Marathons.