Episode 12: From Plumbing Licenses to Global Leadership: Mary Thompson on Givers Gain & Leading with a Beginner’s Mind

Welcome back to the Six Figure Chicks Podcast! Today I’m chatting with Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI, the world’s largest business referral networking organization—responsible for $26.6B in member-to-member business over the last 12 months. Mary’s leadership is rooted in BNI’s signature value Givers Gain®—and it shows.Mary’s path is anything but typical: she’s a licensed plumber, former President of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, and long-time COO at Neighborly, before stepping into the CEO seat at BNI. In this conversation, she shares the practices and mindsets that keep her—and her teams—growing.In this episode, we cover:Why Givers Gain® translates across cultures and fuels real resultsThe leadership “shadow” you cast—and how to make it a positive oneBeginner’s mind: the habit that keeps seasoned leaders curious and effectiveHarmony over balance: a smarter way to think about work and lifeThe truth about standing out: execution > ideas (“102%” delivery beats 60% genius)Building teams that grow with you (and sometimes faster than you)Fun fact: how Mary became one of the 1.5% of licensed plumbers who are women—and why it matters for leadershipQuote to remember: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Hit your numbers, exceed expectations, and grow the people around you.”Connect with Mary:LinkedIn: Mary Kennedy ThompsonEmail: mary@bni.comCurious about BNI? Mary can connect you to a local chapter visit.Support the showIf you love what you hear, don’t forget to rate, review, and share — your support helps amplify the voices of women rising to the top. Let’s grow together — because six figures is just the beginning. https://sixfigurechicks.com/