Leadership Starts With Better Questions | #7

The best leaders don’t have all the answers — they ask better questions.In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with franchise industry powerhouse Mary Thompson, CEO of BNI and former COO of Neighborly, for a masterclass on leadership, growth, culture, and influence. Drawing from decades of experience leading franchise organizations, scaling businesses, and developing high-performing teams, Mary shares the leadership lessons that transformed her from a tactical operator into a visionary CEO.Together, Joel and Mary unpack why leadership is not about titles, authority, or having the quickest answer — it’s about creating clarity, asking compelling questions, listening deeply, and helping people grow into their potential. From “bottom line up front” leadership to building cultures rooted in accountability and trust, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for leaders at every level.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why leadership is about influence, not positionHow asking better questions creates better leadersWhy “Tell Me More” is one of the most powerful phrases in leadershipThe difference between tactical leadership and visionary leadershipHow great leaders build culture through values, curiosity, and accountabilityWhy leaders must allow people to “fail forward” in order to growHow to create employee engagement by helping people see where they fitMary also shares hard-earned lessons from leading major franchise organizations, scaling teams through rapid growth, and learning how to slow down, listen, and lead with intentionality.Because leadership isn’t about controlling people.It’s about equipping them, inspiring them, and helping them become more than they thought possible.Lean in — and tell me more.Host:Joel WorthingtonGuest:Mary Thompson — CEO of BNI, Former COO of Neighborly, Former Chair of the International Franchise AssociationShow:Tell Me MoreConnect with Joel:LinkedIn: Joel WorthingtonInstagram: @joelworthingtonConnect with Mary Thompson:BNI: BNI.com