Hi Reader,
Thanks for reading! I thought I'd share the three Ls with you today:
- Lessons from Leanne
- Links Leanne Loves
- Leanne's Live Events
Btw, I love reading your replies/thoughts, so feel free to hit that reply button and let me know what's happening with you, too.
Let's jump in.
1. Lessons from Leanne
At 25, I was stuck in the golden handcuffs of corporate life—prestigious consulting job, impressive CV, but zero creativity.
Then I met John, the founder of Wicked Campers, who blew up everything I thought I knew about business, leadership, and risk-taking.
His leadership style?
Unscripted. Bold. Quite reckless.
And wildly effective.
Here’s what I learned from the most unconventional CEO I’ve ever worked for.
1. Sometimes, “Why not?” is the only question you need
Most ideas get killed in the “but what if it doesn’t work?” stage. John flipped that: “What if it does?”
When he introduced a campaign offering a free rental if customers picked up their van naked, my corporate-trained brain short-circuited. I said he couldn't do that. He said, "Why not?"
It actually worked. It became a talking point, drove word-of-mouth marketing, and skyrocketed bookings that year.
Not all ideas need extensive business cases.
Sometimes, asking “Why not?” instead of “Why?” is the only permission you need.
2. Break the rules, fight the law
When Wicked Campers got hit with cease-and-desist letters (because some companies didn’t love their logo being parodied on our vans), John didn’t panic.
“We’ll just paint over it.”
Not reckless. Just resourceful.
Instead of treating challenges as stop signs, he saw them as speed bumps. He knew that pushing boundaries was part of building a brand that people remembered. (Btw, Break the rules, fight the law is part of Nike's brilliant 1970s manifesto.)
Where are you playing too safe?
3. Action trumps planning
I spent weeks carefully building a database of travel agents. When I proudly showed John my work, he looked at me, unimpressed.
“Great. Now go talk to someone.”
It was the best business advice I ever received.
I realised I was hiding behind preparing instead of doing.
Where are you waiting for the perfect plan when you should just start?
4. Personal development isn’t about formal training
John never sent me to corporate development programs. Instead, he:
- Handed me books that changed my thinking
- Gave me Jim Rohn’s entire CD collection
- Pushed me to create (I started blogging in 2007)
- Let me spray-paint the office walls when I needed inspiration
Growth didn’t come from tick-the-box training. It came from exposure, experiences, and doing things before I felt ready.
What’s a skill you could develop simply by starting instead of waiting?
5. To stand for something, you have to repel someone
Our marketing was… Let’s say polarising. But that was the point.
We weren’t trying to attract everyone—just adventure-seeking backpackers.
Playing it safe would have made us forgettable.
In your business or brand, who do you actually want to attract? And what are you willing to do to make that crystal clear?
Final thoughts
Looking back, what seemed like chaos was actually orchestrated disruption.
John knew exactly what he was doing:
- Creating a brand with a cult following
- Prioritising movement over perfection
- Pushing people (including me) to act first and figure it out later
After two years, I left. Things started getting a bit too controversial for my liking (that’s a story for another day). But the lessons stuck.
Oh… and if your boss ever offers you the keys to their canary yellow Porsche?
Take them. I had the best time driving that car for a week!
Want more stories like this?
Listen to the full story on Leanne on Demand / Read the full article with photos on LinkedIn.
2. Links Leanne Loves
3. Leanne's Live Events
⚽ 1 March: Hosting the Brisbane Roar in Business event at Suncorp Stadium
How often do you get to partner with the football team you've supported for 20 years? I'm hosting a panel pre-kick off for the Roar in Business event at Suncorp Stadium on 1 March.
Drinks, food, guest speakers (including former football captains) and a great topic: We're talking speed in decision-making. Stay for the Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory match.
Tickets are $320, hit reply if you want the dets.
🏕️ 10-12 March Red Carpet Campout: One tent remains!!
This is an invitation to a 48-hour experience that includes:
- No-holds-barred strategy sessions
- Gourmet dining under the stars
- Curated outdoor activities
- Thought Breeder rounds for direct business feedback
Want to riff business, workshops, ideas, branding with me and 8 other dynamic founders?
Read the invitation letter and commit before the last tent disappears.
🎤 1 April: Get to the Point workshop with Sally Prosser
Speak punchier! Learn how to land your point in less time at our next Brisbane workshop. We'll share actionable strategies to ensure your message lands as intended in any context, every time.
What previous Get to the Pointers Say -
- "Thank you, Sally and Leanne for such an inspiring day! Love the SWAY and BATON Frameworks and will definitely practice them, so I can get to the point" - Maggie
- "OMG! I've come back to the office, turned on the camera and instantly was able to bring the story to life! I finally feel like my video had order, a beginning, middle and an end AND an impact. Lessons being integrated as we speak!" - Sally
Earlybird tickets end 18 March. Grab your spot.
(oh yes, and there's an after-party, too. That's a ritual we started after the last sesh that will continue...)
Thanks for being here, legend!
Catch me on LinkedIn (watch LI tomorrow, my account is being taken over...eek!) or Instagram , or just hit reply—I love hearing from you and I respond to every email.
Leanne "maintaining the daily podcasting streak" Hughes
P.S. The Red Carpet Campout is perfect if want explosive ideas and growth. It’s designed to help you see things in a completely new light.
