Project Management Expert Encourages Professionals to Build Agility, Empathy, and Purpose in Every Role

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 25, 2025 / Accomplished project management leader and educator Jerry Kafieh (Hon BSc, PfMP, PMP, DASSM, ITIL) is using his recent feature spotlight to call for a shift in how organizations and individuals approach leadership and community responsibility. With over 25 years of Project Management experience and mentoring future professionals, Kafieh is urging people to look beyond productivity metrics and start prioritizing adaptability, empathy, and service to others.

"Leadership isn't a title-it's a privilege," Kafieh says. "It's earned every day by how you show up for people, listen to them, and guide them through change."

Kafieh, who directs NewTech Horizons Inc. and teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University's Chang School, has spent decades building project management frameworks that help organizations grow sustainably. Yet, in recent years, his focus has turned toward developing the human side of leadership. He's blending lessons from boardrooms, classrooms, and volunteer sites into one message: leadership begins with listening.

Advocating for Agility and Humanity in the Workplace
Citing the fast pace of business and technology, Kafieh warns that "organizations don't fail because of bad strategy-they fail because they can't adapt their execution." He believes agility and emotional intelligence are now as critical as technical expertise.

According to a 2016 CEB Corporate Leadership Council, Only 1/3 of major change initiatives fully meet the goals set by the organisation. "That statistic should wake us up," says Kafieh. "We spend so much time optimizing systems but not nearly enough time preparing people to adapt."

Kafieh's teaching emphasizes practical agility, helping professionals at every level learn how to navigate uncertainty and align teams toward common goals. "If you build adaptability into your culture," he says, "you're not just surviving change-you're thriving in change."

A Voice for Community and Humanitarian Response
Beyond his professional life, Kafieh was an active humanitarian, serving on the Board of Directors for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank and supported the Canadian Red Cross. His deployments had included the COVID-19 response in Kashechewan First Nation, disaster recovery in Prince Edward Island after Hurricane Fiona, and emergency aid for Ukrainian arrivals in Toronto.

"When people are facing a crisis, leadership looks different," he explains. "It's not about authority-it's about compassion, organization, and being there when others can't."

The Canadian Red Cross reports that natural disasters have increased fivefold globally over the past 50 years, and the need for skilled volunteers is greater than ever. Kafieh believes that everyone-no matter their career or background-can play a role. "You don't need to be in management to make a difference," he says. "Start small. Volunteer in your community. Help organize a local initiative. Leadership starts there."

Encouraging Everyday Acts of Leadership
Kafieh's philosophy bridges professional excellence and civic engagement. He hopes more Canadians will see community service not as an obligation but as an extension of leadership itself. "We can't separate who we are at work from who we are in the world," he says. "When you invest in others-whether it's your team or your neighborhood-you're contributing to something much bigger than yourself."

He also encourages professionals to model empathy and mentorship in their workplaces. "Ask a junior colleague how they're doing," Kafieh suggests. "Help someone learn a skill you've mastered. Those small acts create trust, and trust creates progress."

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

Call to Action
Jerry Kafieh is inviting individuals and organizations alike to reflect on how they can contribute to building resilient, people-first communities-both inside and outside of work. "Leadership is service," he says. "You can start today by showing up for someone else-at your job, in your family, or in your city."

To learn more about Jerry Kafieh's work and insights on leadership, visit NewTech Horizons.

Media Contact:
Info@jerrykafieh.com

SOURCE: Jerry Kafieh