Born in Toronto to immigrant parents, Jerry Kafieh grew up in a busy household as the youngest of four brothers. His early life was shaped by structure, service, and curiosity—from being a Cub Scout and altar boy to joining the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves while studying at the University of Waterloo. “Discipline and teamwork were part of life from the start,” he says.
After earning his Honours Bachelor of Science, Jerry began his career in pharmaceutical sales. But he soon discovered his true calling in project management, where people and process meet. Since 1998, as Director of NewTech Horizons Inc., he’s led projects across industries—helping companies build systems that work and teams that thrive.
His leadership blends clarity, collaboration, and quiet confidence.
For over two decades, Jerry has also taught at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Chang School of Continuing Education, as well as other instructional organizations, bringing real-world experience to the classroom. “Teaching keeps me humble,” he says. “It reminds me that leadership is really about listening.”
Outside work, Jerry serves on the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank Board and volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross, having been deployed to emergencies from Hurricane Fiona to COVID-19 relief efforts. Through every role, Jerry’s story reflects a simple truth—real leadership begins with service, empathy, and consistency.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days start early—usually around 5:30 a.m.—with a cup of coffee and some quiet time. It’s how I set my mind before the noise of the day begins. I spend my mornings planning and reviewing project priorities. I keep a short list of three main goals each day, no more. Meetings fill much of the day, but I always block time for focused work. Evenings are for reading, reflection, and sometimes a motorcycle ride to unwind. Productivity, for me, is about intention, not speed… sustainable achievement.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by asking, “What problem does this really solve?” I use whiteboards and mind maps to organize ideas, but I always involve others early. Collaboration turns a vague idea into a real plan. In project work, an idea only matters if it’s executable. I encourage debate and transparency—ideas grow stronger when challenged.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m fascinated by how AI is being integrated into project management tools. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about augmenting decision-making. AI can analyze risks, timelines, and dependencies faster than ever. The challenge—and opportunity—is helping teams adapt their thinking to leveraging those insights as part of their insight generation process. AI helps, but people must own the insights. AI just doesn’t have (yet) the intimate context of individual situations and contexts within which projects operate.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I use what I call “micro-reflection.” After every meeting or decision, I take 60 seconds to ask, “What worked? What didn’t?” That habit helps me improve continuously and avoid repeating mistakes.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient with growth. In my twenties, I thought progress meant speed. Now I know it’s about direction. Take time to learn, listen more than you speak, and don’t confuse activity with achievement.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that most failures in business aren’t about resources—they’re about listening. If teams listened deeply to each other and their clients, most issues would resolve themselves.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Volunteer. It changes your perspective completely. Working with the Red Cross taught me how adaptable people can be under pressure. Leadership looks different when you’re helping a family recover from a fire, flood, or pandemic.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away—literally. I’ll go outside, ride my motorcycle, or work in the garden. You can’t solve a foggy problem with a foggy mind. Physical movement clears my thinking.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Empowering others. When I started building my practice, I learned that success depends on the team’s ownership. I train and trust people early. When they feel accountable, they outperform every expectation.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my consulting career, I underestimated how much time a client needed for change management. The project succeeded technically but failed emotionally. People weren’t ready. I learned that communication and buy-in are as critical as timelines and budgets. Since then, I start every project with stakeholder alignment before any technical work begins.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A mentoring exchange network for project managers—pairing experienced PMs with junior ones across industries. It’s inexpensive to start and creates huge value for both sides.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Notion to organize everything—projects, teaching materials, even volunteer work. It’s flexible and visual, which helps me track priorities without feeling overwhelmed.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book I return to often is The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge. It taught me to see organizations as living systems, not machines. It reshaped how I lead and teach.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The 1965 film The Flight of the Phoenix with James Stewart. It depicts a group of people who are thrust together by circumstances not of their making. Gradually and with setbacks, they form a team with a collective goal. It highlights many project management and leadership do’s and dont’s. In the end, a genuine and tenacious desire to achieve the goal allows the new team to rise above their circumstance, and escape to safety.
Key learnings
- True productivity starts with focus and reflection, not speed.
- Listening deeply—within teams and organizations—prevents most problems.
- Agility and empathy are equally vital for leadership in modern workplaces.
- Volunteer work strengthens adaptability and emotional intelligence.
- Empowering others creates lasting success in teams and businesses.