The true test of leadership is not what a person knows, but how they behave when the pressure is on. That’s according to behavioural risk strategist Preetie Boler, who insists that many workplace problems commonly seen as technical are, in fact, behavioural. 

With 30+ years’ experience in legal and commercial roles across construction and facilities management, Preetie explains why trust can be damaged in a single moment and why self-awareness alone is not enough to change that. 

She shares the behavioural patterns and practical tools she uses to help leaders respond more intentionally in high-pressure situations. Preetie explores how behaviour shapes culture, influences team performance, and determines whether leaders create safety, collaboration and trust when it matters most. 

Takeaways 
Leadership is revealed in behaviour, especially during moments of pressure. 
Under pressure, unconscious habits override even the best intentions. 
Trust can be built or broken in a single conversation. 
Self-awareness alone is not enough to change leadership behaviour. 
Small behavioural shifts can dramatically improve team trust and performance. 
Leaders must pause to choose intentional responses, not default reactions. 
Behavioural patterns shape culture more than strategy, skills or knowledge. 
Great leaders create safety, clarity and trust when stakes are highest. 

Follow Preetie Boler 
https://www.empoweredbydesign.com.au/ 

Preetie’s book 
Shiftcode Leadership: A guide to building thriving teams and a positive workplace culture https://amzn.to/3PzDSyR 

Books recommended 
Mans search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl https://amzn.to/4d9BHfr 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners 

Newsletter – each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter  https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/ 

Books – Learn more about our books https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/  
Made to Thrive: The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO 
Onboarded: How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process. 
Onboarded for Managers: Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster. 
Bigger isn’t Better, Better is Better: Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)

Follow me: 
on https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles  
on https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth 

Enjoying the show? Leave a review 

The true test of leadership is not what a person knows, but how they behave when the pressure is on. That&rsquo;s according to behavioural risk strategist Preetie Boler, who insists that many workplace problems commonly seen as technical are, in fact, behavioural.&nbsp;
With 30+ years&rsquo; experience in legal and commercial roles across construction and facilities management, Preetie explains why trust can be damaged in a single moment and why self-awareness alone is not enough to change that.&nbsp;
She shares the behavioural patterns and practical tools she uses to help leaders respond more intentionally in high-pressure situations. Preetie explores how behaviour shapes culture, influences team performance, and determines whether leaders create safety, collaboration and trust when it matters most.&nbsp;
Takeaways&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Leadership is revealed in behaviour, especially during moments of pressure.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Under pressure, unconscious habits override even the best intentions.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Trust can be built or broken in a single conversation.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Self-awareness alone is not enough to change leadership behaviour.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Small behavioural shifts can dramatically improve team trust and performance.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Leaders must pause to choose intentional responses, not default reactions.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Behavioural patterns shape culture more than strategy, skills or knowledge.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Great leaders create safety, clarity and trust when stakes are highest.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Follow Preetie Boler <a href="https://www.empoweredbydesign.com.au/">https://www.empoweredbydesign.com.au/</a>&nbsp;
Preetie&rsquo;s book Shiftcode Leadership: A guide to building thriving teams and a positive workplace culture <a href="https://amzn.to/3PzDSyR">https://amzn.to/3PzDSyR</a>&nbsp;
Books recommended Mans search for Meaning &ndash; Viktor Frankl <a href="https://amzn.to/4d9BHfr">https://amzn.to/4d9BHfr</a>&nbsp;
Watch the episode on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners">https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvolutionPartners</a>&nbsp;
Newsletter &ndash; each week I share interesting insights, articles and ideas you can use. Join other leaders and subscribe to The Evolution Partners newsletter&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/subscribe/</a>&nbsp;
Books &ndash; Learn more about our books&nbsp;<a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/">https://evolutionpartners.com.au/books/</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/made-to-thrive/"> Made to Thrive:</a> The practical, prescriptive guide on how to be a great CEO&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded/">Onboarded:&nbsp;</a>How to bring new hires to the points where they are more effective faster. A business case for leaders on why you should commit to an effective onboarded process.&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/onboarded-for-managers-book/">Onboarded for Managers:</a> Helping managers bring new hires to the point where they are more effective faster.&nbsp; <a href="https://evolutionpartners.com.au/bigger-isnt-better/">Bigger isn&rsquo;t Better, Better is Better:</a> Avoiding the pressure of endless growth to build a better business (and better life)
Follow me:&nbsp; on <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles">https://au.linkedin.com/in/bradleygiles</a>&nbsp; on <a href="https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth">https://twitter.com/Evolution_Perth</a>&nbsp;
Enjoying the show? Leave a review&nbsp;

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.

The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

A place for the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers.
The Evolution Partners is a weekly podcast hosted by Brad Giles. Join Brad as he engages in conversations with some of the world’s sharpest minds, learning a bit more about them and delving into what makes them tick.

The Evolution Partners

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.

We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.

Each week Brad Giles talks with the world’s leading thinkers, planners and doers who are helping to build great companies in their own way.
We learn how the work they’re doing is creating an impact and get to know a little bit more about them, and what makes them tick.