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 results
• The leadership “shadow” you cast—and how to make it a positive one
• Beginner’s mind: the habit that keeps seasoned leaders curious and effective
• Harmony over balance: a smarter way to think about work and life
• The 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 leadership

Quote 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 Thompson
• Email: mary@bni.com
• Curious about BNI? Mary can connect you to a local chapter visit.