50 How Phil Waugh Became Rugby Australia CEO

Phil Waugh is the recently appointed CEO of Rugby Australia. He played 79 games for the Wallabies and 136 games for the NSW Waratahs. His preferred position was openside breakaway, where his goal was to be a menace for the opposing team’s back row. 
Phil successfully transitioned to the world of banking and finance working in asset finance at CBA, moving to Head of the Covid Response and Head of Private Wealth at Westpac, then changing jersey’s again to work as an executive at NAB.
He has an extensive background as a media commentator, a trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground, and a non-executive director of Rugby Australia. Phil is married to Abbe and is the father of 4 energetic boys. His guidance and mentoring at a Tour de Cure charity ball is one of the reasons why Andrew is also a proud father of 4.
In this episode Andrew and Phil discuss:
5:10 What Phil was like as a child, how he got into rugby and finding toughness.
8:30 Phil’s standout moment from his career and rugby’s place in Australia.
13:30 Playing with George Smith, Phil’s marriage breakdown and how he kept his mental health strong while dealing with multiple changes at the end of his playing career.
24:30 Moving into the corporate world and steps taken together to where he is now.
29:00 Conversation skills, differences between sport and the corporate world, and what it’s like to face the Haka.
33:20 Self-awareness and the ability to pause and think before answering questions,  and what makes a good coach.
37:00 Phil’s home life and how he stays connected with his family.
41:30 What success looks like as Rugby Australia CEO and working with the Rugby Australia board.
47:00 'Training to be a CEO' and his experience so far.
52:40 The importance of taking quiet reflective moments and Phil’s passion for rugby.
54:50 Performance Uncovered.
1:05:00 Andrew and the Wizard’s reflections.
 
You can find Phil at his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-waugh-22472960/
Find out more about the Performance Intelligence Masterclass: https://rb.gy/xexsz
Find out more about Andrew's Keynotes : https://www.andrewmay.com/keynotes/
Follow Andrew May: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmay/
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If you enjoy the podcast, we would really appreciate you leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Play. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps us build our audience and continue to provide high quality guests.
 

Show Notes

From Wallabies star to Rugby Australia CEO - how did Phil Waugh make the leap from elite sport to the boardroom? Phil shares raw insights on resilience, leadership, and the mindset shifts that took him from facing the Haka to leading Australian rugby. Hear his biggest lessons from the field, how he navigated personal and professional change, and what success really looks like at the top. If you want to know what it takes to transition, lead, and thrive, this one’s for you.

In this episode Andrew and Phil discuss:

5:10 What Phil was like as a child, how he got into rugby and finding toughness.

8:30 Phil’s standout moment from his career and rugby’s place in Australia.

13:30 Playing with George Smith, Phil’s marriage breakdown and how he kept his mental health strong while dealing with multiple changes at the end of his playing career.

24:30 Moving into the corporate world and steps taken together to where he is now.

29:00 Conversation skills, differences between sport and the corporate world, and what it’s like to face the Haka.

33:20 Self-awareness and the ability to pause and think before answering questions,  and what makes a good coach.

37:00 Phil’s home life and how he stays connected with his family.

41:30 What success looks like as Rugby Australia CEO and working with the Rugby Australia board.

47:00 'Training to be a CEO' and his experience so far.

52:40 The importance of taking quiet reflective moments and Phil’s passion for rugby.

54:50 Performance Uncovered.

1:05:00 Andrew and the Wizard’s reflections.

 

You can find Phil at his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-waugh-22472960/

Use Code "PQPODCAST10" to get 10% off your Lumo Coffee order:https://lumocoffee.com/

Interested in sharing your story? Email Producer Shannon at [e-mail] today with your story and contact details.

Learn more about Andrew and Performance Intelligence: https://performanceintelligence.com/
Find out more about Andrew's Keynotes : https://performanceintelligence.com/keynotes/

Follow Andrew May: https://www.instagram.com/andrewmay/

If you enjoy the podcast, we would really appreciate you leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Play. It takes less than 60 seconds and really helps us build our audience and continue to provide high quality guests.

What is Performance Intelligence?

There's IQ. There's EQ. Introducing PQ. All things human performance with PQ founder, Andrew May, exploring the latest in human performance with an all-star cast of subject matter experts covering physical and psychological wellbeing, performance psychology, sport, business, entertainment, the performing arts, leadership, and science.

Learn valuable lessons that can be applied to optimising performance in your personal and professional life. Performance Intelligence applies to the way we turn up in relationships and the way we turn up at work, it applies to the way we perform in front of 10,000 people and the way we perform in front of one.