Leadership, High Performance & A Magical Night on the Harbour

Day One of the BNI Global Convention 2025 (19th of Nov.) began with the kind of excitement that reminds you: you are part of something bigger than yourself. Walking into the ICC Sydney — a world-class venue buzzing with leaders from around the globe — the energy was electric. This wasn’t just a conference. It was a reunion, a learning hub, and a global celebration of connection.

 

Morning at ICC Sydney

The morning began with everyone gathering in the main hall — familiar faces, new faces, and a wave of excitement in the air. Delegates settled in as the lights dimmed and the first keynote took the stage.

KEYNOTE: Mary Kennedy Thompson

Chief Executive Officer, BNI Global

“The Shadow of Leadership”

Mary Kennedy Thompson opened the convention with a message that instantly grounded the room. Her keynote explored a powerful concept:
Leaders cast shadows — and those shadows shape everything.

What Mary Kennedy Thompson Shared:

Mary reminded us that leadership is not a title — it is a constant presence. Our attitudes, tone, frequency, and consistency send silent messages to our members. Whether we mean to or not, we teach through our actions.

Key Learnings:

• Leadership is happening at all times — both in what we do and what we fail to do.
• Members mirror their leaders, so consistency from the top matters.
• Culture is built by what we model, what we encourage, and what we allow.
• Strong chapters grow from intentional leadership, not luck.

Mary’s message instantly set the theme of the day: intentionally lead everything you want to see reflected.

KEYNOTE: Alan Stein Jr

High Performance Expert & Former Elite Basketball Trainer

“Mastering the Fundamentals”

Alan Stein Jr followed with an unforgettable keynote rooted in elite sports psychology. His story of training NBA legend Kobe Bryant captured the room.

What Alan Stein Jr Shared:

Alan told us how Kobe — the world’s best player at the time — showed up for practice early, only to ask to work on basic drills most players take for granted. It was a powerful reminder that excellence is not built on complexity — but on consistency.

Key Learnings:

• The basics, done exceptionally well, are what set you apart.
• Don’t chase complicated strategies — master the fundamentals.
• In BNI, the “fundamentals” are simple:
  • Attendance
  • 1-2-1s
  • Referrals
  • Inviting
  • Engagement
• Excellence is a habit, not a moment.

Alan’s keynote helped us see that BEYOND starts with doing the basics better than ever.

BREAKOUT SESSION: Dr Leanne Elich

Behavioural Strategist & Neuropsychology Expert

“The Neuroscience of Ethical Influence”

In the afternoon, I attended an incredible breakout with Dr Leanne Elich — a deep dive into how the brain processes trust, safety and connection.

What Dr Leanne Elich Shared:

Dr. Leanne explained how human behaviour and emotional cues shape the way people decide who to work with, who to trust, and who they feel comfortable referring.

Key Learnings:

• People remember how you made them feel, not your script.
• Emotional safety must come before influence.
• Ethical influence is built on authenticity, empathy and consistency.
• Real referrals happen when relationships feel psychologically safe.

Dr Leanne’s session added a layer of emotional intelligence to the day’s leadership and performance themes.

EVENING: Australian Welcome Dinner Cruise

After a full day of leadership, insights and learning, the evening brought something magical — the Australian BNI Welcome Dinner Cruise on Darling Harbour.

Why This Night Mattered

As the sun set, we boarded the boat with BNI members from across Australia. Laughter filled the deck, conversations flowed easily, and the views were breath-taking.

Sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the Opera House glowing in the distance, felt surreal. It was one of those moments that remind you why BNI is special — not because of the meetings, but because of the people.

• It deepened connections between members across states.
• It allowed new friendships to form in a relaxed, joyful setting.
• It set the tone for the week: open, connected, and truly BEYOND.

The cruise was more than a dinner — it was a celebration of everything BNI stands for: relationships, community and meaningful connection.

DAY ONE REFLECTION

Day One left me feeling inspired and grounded. We started with leadership, moved into performance, dove into psychology, and ended with meaningful connection under Sydney’s night sky.

The theme BEYOND had already begun — in the way we learned, connected and saw ourselves as part of a global family.

Author: Vlasta Eriksson – Director – Signature Staff 
Regional Area Director – BNI NQ