Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor

The Role of Resilience and Leadership: From Crisis to Philanthropy, with Peter Baines, OAM

Dec 5, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Peter Baines, OAM, a former Australian police leader and founder of the charity Hands Across the Water, shares his transformative journey from crisis response to philanthropy. He discusses vital leadership lessons drawn from international disaster operations, emphasizing resilience as a cornerstone of personal and collective growth. Peter recounts his epic 1,350km marathon to support Thai children, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges faced. His insights reveal the power of purpose in leadership and the importance of celebrating hard-earned successes.
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ANECDOTE

From Young Cop To International Forensics

  • Peter Baines joined the police at 19 and shifted from uniform to forensic work over 23 years.
  • His international deployments after Bali and the 2004 tsunami defined his career and led to Interpol and UN work.
ANECDOTE

The Emotional Cost Of Disaster Work

  • Peter describes entering temples with thousands of decomposing bodies after the tsunami and the sensory horror of smell and heat.
  • He stayed because identifying victims gave families answers, despite the emotional toll.
ADVICE

Avoid The Burnout Trap

  • Change roles and seek promotion or relocation to avoid chronic exposure and burnout in high-risk policing roles.
  • Recognize that sameness and constant on-call schedules accelerate wear and increase PTSD risk.
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