20 Secrets to Maximising your BNI Membership
The BNI 20 Secrets Podcast - where we reveal the secrets behind a thriving BNI experience!
20 Secrets to Maximising your BNI Membership
20 Secrets to Maximising Your BNI Membership - Secret 15
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In this episode, Shannon Wheatley joins hosts Chris Mutimer and Jeremy Dart, and shares how saying "yes" to leadership in BNI can transform far more than your chapter. Discover how stepping into a leadership role builds confidence, sharpens business skills, and accelerates both personal and professional growth.
📝 Key Topics Covered
- 🌟 Why leadership starts with saying yes — embracing opportunities that stretch your comfort zone.
- 🤝 Growing through service — how leading others develops confidence, communication, and influence.
- 📈 The hidden business benefits of leadership — building credibility, visibility, and stronger relationships.
- 💡 Lessons that extend beyond BNI — applying leadership skills to business, family, and everyday life.
- 🚀 Creating a legacy of contribution — inspiring others by leading with purpose, humility, and action.
🎧 Listen now and take your BNI networking to another level.
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You're listening to the 20 Secrets to Maximize Your BNI membership podcast, where we meet the book's contributors, delve deeper, discuss, explore the strategies and tactics behind each of the 20 secrets. If you're a BNI member, prepare to meet some of the most effective BNI members in Australia. And here are your hosts, Chris Mutimer and Jeremy Dart.
SPEAKER_05Welcome, listeners. And we are back with the 20 secrets to maximising your BNI membership podcast. Welcome back, Jeremy. And I've I've been told to call you a legend. I don't know. Well, yeah, always.
SPEAKER_02I love your sultry tones. Do you?
SPEAKER_05Is that salt is that the right word? Sultry in the intro. Yes. Yes. Sultry intro. Well, we've got a very special topic today, and um it is all about secret 15, which is the leadership secret hidden, the secrets hidden in plain sight, which we love. So I'm going to introduce our guests. So firstly, many members see leadership team roles as something that requires extra time and effort. But what if taking on a leadership position was actually one of the fastest ways to accelerate your growth, confidence, and success in BI? And we've got a very special guest today, Shannon Wheatley, who has experienced the firsthand one of B and I's most powerful yet overlooked opportunities for growth. So Shannon, as I mentioned, the author of Secret 15, the leadership secret hidden in plain sight. And that was the sultry tone again. I did that for your benefit.
SPEAKER_01It's a bit of a pause.
SPEAKER_05All right, just a quick summary. So in her chapter, Shannon shares a perspective that many members don't fully appreciate until they've experienced it themselves that taking on a leadership role in BI isn't just about serving your chapter, it's about investing in your own personal and professional development. So Shannon, it's a great pleasure to have you on the podcast. Welcome. Welcome, Shannon.
SPEAKER_03Thank you very much for having me, guys. Really appreciate it.
SPEAKER_02So, uh Shannon, how long have you been in BI for?
SPEAKER_03Um just gone into my sixth year.
SPEAKER_02Wow, that's uh that's plenty of time, and I'm sure you've uh hold held every position possible on the leadership team.
SPEAKER_03Oh, I have definitely. Yes, absolutely. So as we And I can say I was number one in Australia when I was president.
SPEAKER_01Oh, that's gotta be that's top of the tops.
SPEAKER_05I love it. Love it. Just getting my pen out to give an extra special tick and a little gold star.
SPEAKER_02Extra gold star for that. Um so most members understand the benefits of of receiving referrals, which we've covered in we all know that referrals are really handy, but uh sorry, valuable, and it's the core part of what we do, you know, obviously growing our businesses. But there's very few or there's fewer members that actually realize the benefit and the enormous potential and business growth that comes from serving in the leadership role, wouldn't you say?
SPEAKER_03Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. The um the fact of how much it can give you brand awareness out there, not only to our members, but to those visitors in the room, is amazing. Um, for me, it's it gives you such an opportunity for them to actually see you and know you. So yeah.
SPEAKER_02So tell me how um what made you select this chapter to to write about in the 20 secrets? What inspired you?
SPEAKER_03Um I I think it was definitely something that I promote um quite regularly when I speak about B and I is the fact that it's not just about those referrals coming in, it's also about your professional and personal growth that you can get from um B I. I know that for me, um, BI has helped me grow in so many ways that just I would never have even thought of. The professional development um has been amazing. I've gone from wanting to be sick every time I stood up and spoke to now I do it as a part of my um my living, making a living. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02So um tell me, what was your the very first leadership role that you took on when you uh when you first joined BI?
SPEAKER_03My very first leadership role was in the membership committee, and I actually took on the role to um help new members in and interview them. I think they thought because I was HR, I'd be really good at that. Um, interviewing and fact checking.
SPEAKER_02There is always an assumption. It's funny how people, the rest of the leadership team go, ah, we have a H okay, right. There's lawyers, there's conveyors, HR, they're always earmarked. Um and like honestly, were you um reluctant to put your hand up or you sort of throw yours through yourself at it? Were you touched on the shoulder?
SPEAKER_03Um Absolutely. I was so reluctant that I really did not want to be a part of it at the very beginning. Um the person who talked me into it had known me for a very long time and told me I'd be great at it. Um and that I would find the time because I was really good at finding time. You know, you give everything to those busy people.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. So so what was the reason that you were reluctant? What was the fear that you had? Or was it a fear or was it a a genuine um other concern?
SPEAKER_03Um, it was probably uh more of a fear of just I was fairly new. I'd only been in B and I for three months.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, okay, that's at that point. That is that is early. That's very early membership. Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_03Um and I was also um I'd been we'd been online at that point because I came in at the very beginning, just before they went offline for COVID. So I didn't know a lot of the people face to face yet. Um so I was a bit worried about it all in that sense. And I'm a perfectionist, so I was concerned that I didn't actually know what exactly the rules were or the the procedures. So yeah, but I was I found the training amazing um and it gave me an opportunity to meet more people as well.
SPEAKER_02So uh no.
SPEAKER_03I since then have only been off the leadership team for um twelve months. I've been in different positions every other turn.
SPEAKER_05Wow. Always giving Shannon. Very impressive.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_05Now you've held lots of leadership positions, obviously. You you uh mentioned earlier that you were president, I believe, at for for a time. What what surprised you most about serving on the leadership team?
SPEAKER_03It really did surprise me in the fact of how quickly it helped me gain confidence in the other members and their trust. I think they saw that the fact that I did what I said I was going to do became almost like some people thought I'd been in B and I longer than I had been. Um I'm someone that likes to know my policies and procedures. So I found out what I had to do and I made sure if I said I was doing something, I did it. So the trust from people came quite quickly, and that sort of almost shocked me that they came through, thought that I was someone they could rely on for more B and I information than I probably had at the beginning.
SPEAKER_05So did you develop do you think you developed skills quickly in I mean you you said you you were a bit reluctant to start out, but you've obviously held a lot of lot of positions. So what what skills did um did you develop that you didn't expect?
SPEAKER_03I think it it it helped me talk to new people easier. Um while yes, I'm HR. We don't do I hadn't done a lot of um recruitment for quite a while. So ringing those referrals, um, references, sorry, for people when they were starting in our chapter, and our chapter's quite a busy chapter with with quite quite a few members, it it it sort of gave me more confidence in ringing people and asking um for their referee, like to be a referee for someone. Um that I didn't really expect, but I became so much more comfortable because B and I was an easier thing to talk about than actually for role job positions. So yeah, I think that was the most for me. That was a big surprise.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, so cu so communication skills, would that some some that's good.
SPEAKER_02And I'm I'm really curious because you've already said that you've you came with such a broad experience of HR, which you know, obviously at the time, you connecting the dots between what you're doing and what what is required in in B and I probably wouldn't have been there. I mean, all of us find that we step into a role and go, I don't know how I can do this, what do I need to know? And then you suddenly realize that there's sort of a an equilibrium or a sort of a balance. But one of the questions I've got for you, did you find, and if you did, how did those skills that you learned, that communication, how did that transfer back into your business and personal life? Did they did you find that that um sort of cross pollination back the other way?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I think it helped me become um more comfortable in doing things. And I think anything you do that you're more comfortable and relaxed in, you can do better. So having that ability to, I guess, practice where I wasn't concerned, it's not my business. Um, so I wasn't having to make a judgment call in that way. Um it actually helped me relax more in when I was doing it for my own business. So it really um that calm back into and asking questions and being okay with people having different answers to what I was expecting, I guess, as well.
SPEAKER_02So let's um let's explore more about um the leadership team and the leadership roles that are within the chapter. So I want to ask you if you feel that um, or do you feel that leadership team members would typically build stronger relationships within a chapter than if you were sitting on the sidelines? Do you think that that has a power uh um an impact?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I think again, I'll go back to the the fact that I think people seeing you do what you say you're gonna do and being standing up a number of times throughout the meeting actually just gives you so much more um visible time. And then people seem to want to get to know you. They want to know more about you because they're seeing you all the time. So those relationships where people have come and asked questions have built friendships as well, I guess. Um, because there's so much more contact with different people. And I find I'll have more phone calls um from other members that I normally I don't think I would have probably reached out to or been in contact with. So yeah, definitely.
SPEAKER_05So do you think um it accelerates the connection and relationships you have with the members?
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. It it almost I can say I've I in our chapter, we've got members of well, one member that's actually been in BNI for 22 years. Um and I would say my relationships um with some of the other members that have been in for quite a period of time is stronger because that person hasn't necessarily been in the leadership roles for a long time. Um so people aren't seeing and talking to them regularly.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. So sorry, I'm gonna say I've got to, you know, like Chris back off. I'm gonna fix my ass.
SPEAKER_05Love it. Back off. Jeez. I don't think I don't think we've had that one before of the podcast.
SPEAKER_02Tell me Shannon, why? Um I I've heard uh a lot of people say this, and I've had this experience myself, and I really um would love you to unpack this a little bit because of your six years um serving every role for literally almost the entire time you've been in by in BI. Um, why do you think that serving on that leadership team often leads to a deeper understanding of the B and I, the entire B and I um ecosystem?
SPEAKER_03Um I really think, well, the training is obviously it's there.
SPEAKER_02Yes, I was gonna say, apart from the apart from obviously understanding. Apart from the training, yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. No, I think again, it's the conversations that you end up having. And it might be something that opens your eyes that someone brings to you that you've not actually even thought about being in B and I. But you are seeing it as an ecosystem more so, I guess. You're seeing it from um right involved in all of the little bits and pieces. You're seeing the reports that they want um sent out or that are sent out, you're seeing the little bits more. Um and it also helps you see who the members are um that might be struggling. So it gives you more opportunity to reach in and see why people are struggling. Um and I'm a big, I love helping people. So for me, seeing those people and being able to help them in and give them advice from where I've stepped in, it's um yeah, I think that really helps build those relationships too.
SPEAKER_05That's that's cool. That's really cool. Yeah. So what would you say therefore to a member who's considering a leadership role or feels that they would might want to get involved, but feels they aren't ready.
SPEAKER_03Oh I I'd say don't don't hold off. Um, I guess it's one of those things they say in business as well. Today's the best day to start. Yeah, so I think it's never really too early in any in most of the roles. Maybe president and VP and secretary can be a little bit full on, but take on take on a role and see how you go. There's always plenty of people to help. There's always plenty of influences that you can look it up um and ask around the B and I world um to get that assistance. I really don't think it's too early at any point. Um, and I can say that from experience.
SPEAKER_05Yeah. Well, what's the saying around stepping outside of your comfort zone? That if you step outside, step outside your comfort zone, it it is a little bit uncomfortable. But once you get used to the new the new situation, then your comfort zone's expanded.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, absolutely. Always expanding.
SPEAKER_02And the other thing that's that's really, really powerful, and I think all of us have been in for B B and I for a good few years. Chris is probably the the greenest of only like a couple years, maybe. But but you know, I I I reflecting on what you're saying, I know that some of the best chapter leaders have started with almost no experience. And you're probably a good example, Shannon, because three months in to be to be on the membership committee making some serious decisions because we know the membership committee is all about being the gatekeeper and understanding, make sure we've got the right people in the right spaces in the chapter. So to have that responsibility, it actually expands that whole you know, your comfort zone expands and suddenly you become a whole new level of leader. Um it's a really powerful thing. I don't think I don't know whether Dr. Ivan Meisner had actually considered that when he when he created all of B and I, but it's really amazing these little nuggets when you lift up a rock, you go, wow, look us look what's under there.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. And there's so much in the way that B and I is run that people can take to running their own businesses. Um, I love it. I really love seeing that happen too.
SPEAKER_05And and also having having lived, I mean, we've we've all done our our share of leadership roles, but the training that's provided these days is is pretty good, I've got to say. It's very comprehensive.
SPEAKER_02I would say world class.
SPEAKER_03World class. Lovely.
SPEAKER_02Wow. That's not a big word, Chris, but it's a really statement. If you put the two words together, it's a little bit big.
SPEAKER_05It's got a little dash in the middle, probably, depending on the context.
SPEAKER_02Chris is always giving me grief about using big words. Oh, never mind. Reciprocity is not a word I made up, you know, Chris. It's something it's part of the training.
SPEAKER_01You cannot spell that word, so it's not about spelling, it's about saying.
SPEAKER_03I don't think I could say it. It's okay.
SPEAKER_01Most people can't, it's so much fun. Reciprocity, reciprocity. Anyway, Chris, over to you.
SPEAKER_05All right. So Shannon, we we do we're we're probably getting towards the the end of our chit chat, and if we get that bloody word reciprocity.
SPEAKER_02Oh, so soon, there's so many things to talk about.
SPEAKER_05Listen, Shannon, if there's if if there's um one leadership role every member should consider during their B and I journey, yeah, why should they jump and take that opportunity?
SPEAKER_03I would say my favorite role has always been the visitor host. And I think that people need to realize that's a way for you to get to know the visitors, forget to for you to get to know all of the members, because you'll be there every day, um, every meeting when they walk in the door. I would 100% recommend it. Gives you an opportunity to not have to stand up and talk too much in front of the group, but at the same time getting to know each and every one of those members as they walk in the door. Um, and they're little, you usually get to see those little things like who's the ones that are always early, who's the ones that are always late. Um, I really think that's a great way in B and I. And I I actually think that's the number one leadership role because that's the most important to help the chapter grow is being that visitor host and doing it well. So I really think that, yeah, visitor host is the one I always recommend. It's not too much up in front of people, so you don't have to be that person standing up in front of everyone for the whole meeting.
SPEAKER_04Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, so the shyer person can do it, but it also opens you up to new people. What would you say to the percent? That's my favorite.
SPEAKER_05What would you say to someone who says, Oh, I'm not gonna I don't want to do the leadership d don't want to do that role because it's gonna take up too much of my time.
SPEAKER_03Uh that there's so many resources out there that it actually doesn't have to. I think the only role that takes too much time is it dependent on how well you organise yourself. I really don't think. Um I well, the value in return on your investment is a hundred percent there in taking on those roles.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it really is.
SPEAKER_03Well you'll see the return on your investment by doing it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03You know it outweighs it by far.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I I think there's there's there's certainly there's no IN team, and yeah, absolutely that the value is so is is is is palpable. Um I I think this has been really I I actually love these conversations, Chris. I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of one it's one thing to have a chapter written by a top 20 member from Austral from around Australia, but but unpacking these things and finding the why and the how and and all of the other bits, and Shannon, this is no exception, this is so good. Um, you know, we we spend a lot of time every six months. We spend time training for a different role, and if you're a DC, you'll do the presentation about what the different role entails and to try and encourage other people to be part of it. But this conversation, uh it literally blows it apart, it it opens it up in a different way. Um, and I think one of the things that I the key takeaway that I've had from listening to what you're saying, uh Shannon, is that one of the greatest benefits of the leadership role, it may not be what you give to the chapter, but what you actually become in the process. And by taking that leadership, that training, and that capacity to to um to to I guess lead the chapter in whatever ki whatever role it is, it then extends across across borders into into your own business and to your own life. And I think it's so powerful. I think it's awesome. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03I think you've got it all in one there. That's exactly how I felt.
SPEAKER_02Thank you.
SPEAKER_05Can you say that again just like Chris giving me the he's finally summarized something up? Oh, come on. I did everything appropriately and effectively. Seriously, they're big words. They are big words. I rolled them three out together just to confuse you.
SPEAKER_02Wow. You know what? Shannon was actually giving me a like I I I we were just really conversing at an adult level, and Chris just brings it down to You're not You're not cheering up there.
SPEAKER_05No, no, no. Don't get your emotional. Wow. Wow. No, look, I I would I would just uh uh underline that. If you know if you go if you've got the opportunity to take on a leadership role in your chapter, it only enhances your credibility in in B and I, but it it actually um does enhance your own business. There's no doubt that um the leadership roles I've taken on, you you take bits and pieces back to your business. You know, the disciplines and the uh philosophy behind some of these roles and and what what the way you go about it, um there's learnings to bring back to your business. So if uh anyone out there is uh feeling a little bit um hesitant about taking on leadership roles, then they should just uh jump in, I think.
SPEAKER_02Throw yourself in it. And it doesn't take as much time as you think. It never does, never ever does.
SPEAKER_05That's right. And the the I agree. The person who's been doing the role gives you a great handover anyway. So it's like the systems are there to set up, it's it's awesome, I reckon.
SPEAKER_03So Yeah, I agree totally, guys. Thank you very much for letting me be a part of this. Oh, it's been awesome, Shannon.
SPEAKER_05So let's uh let's wrap it up. Thank you. Slip gold nuggets. Thank you very much, Sharon, for sharing uh Shannon for sharing your insights been absolutely awesome. Um and yes, encourage listeners to make sure they get a copy of the book and read um Shannon's um chapter in full. And where where can they get that book, Jeremy?
SPEAKER_02Well, they can get it at bnit20secrets.com. Fantastic. And you can put the W's in front of that if you like, or most computers now will allow you just to put BNI20secrets.com. I just wanted to say that twice. You notice that, Chris? See what I did there? B and I20Secrets.com.
SPEAKER_05Well done.
SPEAKER_02Yes, and we did And socials. Talk us talk to us about socials, Chris.
SPEAKER_05Well, we posted up a special little post yesterday about how we've cracked over a thousand listens on the podcast, which is awesome. Thank you.
SPEAKER_02Thank you for doing 550 of them, Chris. It was really nice of you for that.
SPEAKER_05You're welcome. I'm I am exhausted after doing all that, but um I do know a lot more about B and I now after listening to those.
SPEAKER_02Well, I will say that the Facebook community is is um uh a place where we want to be able to share stories and and different feedback and all that sort of thing to create a really strong community around the 20 secrets because these are these are so powerful to help new and existing members to continue to grow their chapters so they can grow their referrals and generate more business than everyone is successful.
SPEAKER_05Awesome. All right, I'm amazing. Well, thank you very much, Janet.
SPEAKER_02Thank you so much, Adam. Really appreciate that. Thank you, Jeremy, and we will talk to everyone next time. Thank you, Chris, and au revoir.
SPEAKER_05See ya.