Phuel Conversations

Most organisations are using AI, but are they seeing meaningful results? Nathy Gaffney is joined by Andrew Webster, VP of Organisational Innovation at ExperiencePoint, and Phuel's AI Practice Lead Jake James to explore the three acts of AI: adoption, replacement and reimagination. They discuss why many businesses get stuck measuring usage instead of outcomes, the risks of restricting access to AI, and how leaders can help teams move from experimentation to genuine transformation. The conversation also examines AI's impact on jobs, the concept of an "imperfect human premium", and what organisations can do to avoid optimising themselves into irrelevance.

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Nathy Gaffney steps out of the interviewer’s chair for a candid conversation with long-time Phuel colleague Meaghan Archunde about why storytelling remains one of the most underrated leadership skills. Together, they explore why data alone rarely inspires action, how memorable stories create meaning and connection, and what separates a compelling story from a self-indulgent one. Drawing on real client experiences, practical presentation techniques, neuroscience, ancient storytelling traditions, and the challenges of communicating in an AI-driven world, they reveal simple frameworks leaders can use to make their messages stick. The episode’s central message is clear: in a world where polished words are abundant, authenticity, relevance, and stories people actually remember are what build trust and drive change.

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Zooming out from self-leadership and team leadership, host Nathy Gaffney is joined again by Phuel facilitators Tracey Ward and Alex Blackbourne to talk about what it takes to lead an entire organisation.

Most leaders call their team high-performing without really questioning what they're measuring, tenure, individual results and a nice culture score rarely tell the full story. In this episode, Phuel's Rob Rossano and Caspar de Carteret get into what actually separates thriving teams from surviving ones, from the metrics that miss the mark to the artificial harmony that lets dysfunction fester and the peer-to-peer accountability that really drives performance. Turns out the gap between good and great isn't talent, it's trust, courageous conversations and showing up for accountability every day.

Resources:

Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team 
Margaret Heffernan, TED Talk on "super chickens" and super flocks (research by William Muir)

Kim Scott, Radical Candor
Stephen Covey, on "malicious obedience" 

Lieutenant General David Morrison (former Chief of the Australian Army): "The standard you walk past is the standard you accept"
Brené Brown's podcast conversation with Ted Lasso and Coach Beard

Building on the self-leadership foundations laid in Episode 1, host Nathy Gaffney is joined by Phuel facilitators Tracey Ward and Alex Blackbourne for a conversation about what happens when you become responsible for other people.

They explore how trust erodes through small, everyday moments rather than grand failures, the difference between a team that feels safe and one that's simply become comfortable, and why the conversations leaders keep postponing are quietly costing them their teams.

If you're enjoying the series, follow or subscribe so you don't miss Episode 3.

Resources:
Patrick Lencioni's work on high-performing teams and artificial harmony 

Gallup; How to Improve Employee Engagement in the Workplace

Kicking off the Leadership from the Inside Out series, host Nathy Gaffney joins Tracey Ward and Phuel co-owner Jo Pollard for a conversation about what self-aware leadership actually looks like in practice. From emotional intelligence and personal ownership to showing up with resilience when the ground is shifting beneath you, this episode challenges leaders to close the gap between good intentions and real-world impact.

Most leaders are managing stress. Far fewer are regulating their nervous system. There’s a big difference and it changes everything.

In this episode of Phuel Conversations, Nathy Gaffney is joined by Andrew Thomas (CEO, Eagle’s Flight Asia Pacific) and Dean Gale (Co-Owner, Phuel) to explore the power of experiential learning.

Together, they unpack why learning sticks best when it’s immersive, engaging and hands-on, and challenge the idea that training needs to be traditional to be effective. From real-world stories to practical insights, they reveal how high-energy experiences drive meaningful behaviour change, strengthen teams and create lasting impact.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond 'tick-the-box' training and create learning that truly lands, this conversation is for you.

In this candid episode of Phuel Conversations, Nathy Gaffney is joined by Phuel co-owners Jo Pollard and Dean Gale to unpack two decades of lessons in leadership, culture and learning. Together, they share practical insights for HR and TA leaders on building engaging workplace experiences, creating cultures where people thrive and future-proofing talent in a rapidly changing world. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what makes learning truly stick.

In the final episode of the Phuel Conversations Mind and Machine mini-series, Nathy Gaffney and Jake James tackle the critical intersection of AI and leadership. They explore how leaders can navigate ethical challenges, build trust through transparency and keep empathy and fairness at the core of AI-driven decision-making. Tune in for insights on human-centred AI, balancing data with human judgment and the evolving role of leadership in an AI-powered workplace.