Toronto, ON - December 12, 2025 - Following a newly published in-depth interview exploring his 25-year career, project management leader and educator Jerry Kafieh is using the moment to advocate for stronger, more human-centred leadership in workplaces across Canada and beyond. Drawing from decades of experience leading complex programmes, building PMOs, and supporting communities through crisis response, Kafieh is calling attention to the importance of empathy, agility, and service in modern organisational life.
“Most organisational failures have nothing to do with strategy or resources,” Kafieh says. “They happen because people aren’t being heard. If teams truly listened to one another, half of the common project issues would disappear.”
Recent data supports his view. A 2023 Gallup report found that only 23% of employees worldwide feel engaged at work, while the Project Management Institute notes that nearly 12% of project spending is wasted due to poor communication alone. “These numbers aren’t just statistics,” Kafieh adds. “They reflect real workplaces full of people trying to do their best without the right support structures.”
In the interview, Kafieh shares experiences from both corporate environments and humanitarian work—including deployments with the Canadian Red Cross during COVID-19 and Hurricane Fiona. “When you’re helping a community in crisis, leadership looks different,” he explains. “It becomes about presence, clarity, and compassion. Those lessons belong in boardrooms too.”
He also encourages individuals—not just leaders—to rethink their relationship with work and community. “You don’t need a title to lead. Volunteer. Mentor someone. Take a moment to actually listen in your next meeting and understand the “why”. These small actions change teams from the inside out.”
Kafieh believes improving workplace culture starts with simple habits:
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Reflecting daily, even for one minute
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Asking better questions, rather than offering quick solutions
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Being open to discomfort, especially during change
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Prioritising mental clarity, whether through nature, rest, or quiet routines
“Agility isn’t a framework,” he says. “It’s a mindset. And anyone can develop it.”
Kafieh is encouraging professionals and teams to take personal steps toward more thoughtful, attentive, and resilient ways of working. “You don’t have to overhaul your workplace,” he says. “Start small. Create space for honest conversations. Volunteer in your community. Reflect before reacting. Leadership begins with the choices we make every day.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Jerry Kafieh
Jerry Kafieh (Hon BSc, PfMP, PMP, DASSM, ITIL) is a seasoned project management executive, educator, and humanitarian with more than 25 years of experience managing and leading high-impact initiatives across multiple industries. As Director of NewTech Horizons Inc., he specialises in developing PMOs, guiding organisational transformation, and building agile, people-centred teams. He also teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Chang School, as well as other educational organizations. Jerry serves his community through the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank and volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross. His career is defined by a commitment to listening, service, and practical leadership.
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