BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: Creating an EVEN Greater Whole: Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Leader
Author: Susan G. Schwartz
Publisher: CRC Press
List Price: $40.99
Format: Softcover, 224 pages
Publication Date: 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-85970-5
Reviewer: John Boyd Campbell, Jr. PMI-PMP
Review Date: December 2025
Introduction
I have over fifty (50) years of Project Management experience building and renovating hospitals and medical facilities, hotels and resorts throughout the world I became a PMP in 2007. I was first introduced to Emotional Intelligence (EI) by Gary Rechtfertig of Doulos Training approximately fourteen years ago, at a PMP Fort Worth Chapter event. Since then, I have attended one EI presentation and two EI classes. I have read the following books: “Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers”, “EQ is for Everyone”, the “Emotional Intelligence Activity” book, “Emotional Intelligence in Christ” and now “Creating an EVEN Greater Whole”. In a follow-up dinner of all Doulos’s students over a years’ time I was recognized for having a direct impact on two students’ personal lives in my initial class, I considered that to be a great personal success. As a result of that recognition, I was requested to teach several EI classes and became very familiar with the benefits of EI integration into a project team. Today I am a substitute teacher, and I use these skills with my students every day that I am on a campus. I was recognized as Substitute Teacher of the Year in 2023 and have been nominated for that position again.
Overview of Book’s Structure
The book is laid out in a three-phase initial format and includes overall personal development, with a great deal of information on the development of someone with the technical skills of Project Management and with the leadership desire yet needing to integrate EI into their personal/professional development. The book Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers begins with people in current leadership roles and creating an awareness of how needing to ADD EI into their current process which may require restructuring of their current methodologies.
EI is clearly relevant in Project Management roles. There are many published articles that show that you can gain PM skills; however, providing effective leadership while incorporating EI will produce a more productive and quality team who is willing to go the extra mile to create a successful project result. The development of PMP professionals needs EI integration at a strong level. This book provides the first understanding of the PMP’s need to understand the core strengths of EI, with a suggested path of the initial development of these skills into the development of a PMI professional, especially those that are seeking a leadership role.
Highlights
I strongly believe the elements of this book that are most important are those that New Leaders gathering skills may learn to expand their capabilities. We learn why EI is essential to leadership and is not just a skill for daily living; however, a core skill necessary for leadership competency. The book provides the necessary tools to develop confidence in the use of EI and is set in the current language to understand and develop a greater understanding of the emotional impacts and resultant behaviors. The New Leaders focus on self-awareness, Emotional controls during pressure, empathy in leadership and trust and emotional safety will create teams willing to do whatever it takes to produce a quality product,
More…
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How to cite this work: Campbell, J. B. Jr. (2026). Creating an EVEN Greater Whole: Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Leader, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue II, February. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pmwj161-Feb2026-Campbell-creating-EVEN-greater-whole-Book-Review-2.pdf
About the Reviewer
John Boyd Campbell, Jr.
Texas, USA
John Boyd Campell, Jr. a Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 50 years of experience, specializing in ground-up and renovation for hospitality and healthcare sectors. The largest project budget he has worked on is $250,000,000. He has a strong track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget, with deep expertise in scope, schedule and budget management, risk assessment, quality control and Lean project execution. He is Certified Lean – Six Sigma by Southern Methodist University (SMU).
John has led cross-functional teams, implemented process improvements, and navigated regulatory environments, including seismic and hurricane-regulated facilities. He is results driven, goal oriented, and recognized for cultivating high performance teams and driving continuous improvement.
In addition to the project work, he is active in the professional community teaching Project Risk and Scheduling Management and Emotional Intelligence to (PMP’s) for their continued education/certification requirements.
As a result of the passing of his wife, Dianne, he has served as a substitute teacher, supporting middle- and secondary-level students. This work reflects his commitment to education, adaptability, and clear communication—skills that complement his professional leadership background. His classroom experience reinforces his ability to explain complex concepts, manage diverse groups, and keep calm, structured environments.
He also serves as a Fellow Episcopal Verger, a liturgical ministry role dedicated to supporting clergy, preparing worship spaces, and ensuring the orderly flow and reverence of services. This ministry highlights his values-based leadership, attention to detail, service mindset, and ability to work collaboratively within faith-based and volunteer organizations. Together, his professional, educational, and ministry experiences reflect a leader grounded in service, discipline, emotional intelligence, and lifelong learning. Several examples include his continued recertification as a PMP, typically exceeding the required 60 PDU’s, and in his school district exceeding the required twelve hours (trade credits) per year, typically exceeding forty.
Editor’s note: This book review was the result of a partnership between the PM World Journal and the PMI Dallas Chapter. Authors and publishers provide books to the PM World Journal Editor; books are delivered to the PMI Dallas Chapter where they are offered free to PMI members who agree to provide a review within 45 days; book reviews are published in the PM World Journal and PM World Library. Reviewers can normally claim PDU’s for PMP recertification upon publication of their book reviews.
PM professionals can also author a review of a PM-related book independently purchased or received from authors. Those book reviews can also be published in the PMWJ, with authors then able to claim PDUs or CEUs for PM recertifications. If you would like us to publish a book review or are an author or publisher of a project management-related book, and would like the book reviewed, please contact editor@pmworldjournal.com.
