BOOK REVIEW
Book Title: The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership
Authors: Mayte Mata Sivera and Yasmina Khelifi
Publisher: Auerbach Publications (CRC Press)
List Price: $31.99
Format: Softcover, 150 pages
Publication Date: September 2024
ISBN: 978-1-032-52149-7
Reviewer: Ramila Patel, PMP
Review Date: May 2025
Introduction
The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership is a practical and inspiring guide that demonstrates how volunteering can serve as a meaningful pathway to project leadership. The book motivates readers to actively build leadership skills beyond the confines of the workplace. Beyond encouraging community service, the book emphasizes how volunteer experiences can drive meaningful personal and professional developments.
Overview of Book’s Structure
The book is structured in three parts:
Part I: Explores how volunteering serves as a foundation for developing project leadership skills.
Part II: Highlights the importance of leadership growth, adaptability, networking, and skill acquisition through hands-on experience.
Part III: Provides practical strategies for applying these lessons in a professional setting, helping individuals translate volunteer experiences into career advancement.
Highlights
The book underscores that effective leadership is cultivated through practical experience and continuous learning, with volunteering offering a rich environment for both. Through insights from their own journeys, the authors show how volunteer roles can be instrumental in building leadership capabilities and advancing one’s professional path.
Highlights: What I liked!
One of the best things about this book is the practical advice it gives. The authors clearly show how volunteer work can help you develop leadership skills, expand your network, and explore new career opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or already an experienced project leader, this book is an excellent guide for growing your leadership abilities, thanks to its easy-to-read and motivating style.
More…
To read entire Book Review, click here
How to cite this review: name, initials (2025). The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership, book review, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue V, May. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pmwj153-Jun2025-Patel-The-Volunteering-Journey-to-Project-Leadership-book-review.pdf
About the Reviewer
Ramila Patel
Frisco, Texas, USA
With a strong foundation in project management, Ramila Patel has spent several years leading complex projects, navigating challenges with precision and adaptability. Holding a Master of Science in Management, she applies forward-thinking strategies to drive meaningful change and optimize team performance.
Striking a balance between professional growth and personal fulfillment is a priority for her. Ramila believes that maintaining a work-life balance allows her to approach projects with fresh perspectives and sustained enthusiasm. One of her most recent milestones was earning her PMP certification in March 2023, further solidifying her expertise in project management best practices.
Beyond professional endeavors, she immerses herself in books that inspire new ways of thinking, enjoys the mindful movement of yoga and Pilates, and takes refreshing walks when the weather is cooler – her way of resetting and recharging. Ramila can be contacted at patelrami@yahoo.com
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.
