Beyond Frameworks: What the Global Immersion Taught Me About Leadership and Strategy

For most of my career, leadership meant one thing: execution. Deliver the outcome, solve the problem, move to the next challenge.

But midway through ISB’s PGP MAX program, I began noticing a subtle shift in how I approached decisions. I was spending less time searching for immediate answers and more time understanding context, alignment, and long-term impact. That change in mindset, from execution-first to context-first, has been one of the most meaningful outcomes of the program so far.

Innovation Is About Choices, Not Just Ideas

The sessions on Innovation and Strategy by Professors Pushan Dutt and Michaël Bikard were particularly thought-provoking. 

One of my biggest takeaways was that innovation is not simply about generating new ideas or adopting new technology. It is about making deliberate strategic choices and building the organisational capabilities needed to execute them. Having the courage to scale matters just as much as having the original idea. 

Another insight that stayed with me was the importance of recognising and acting on the right moment. For established organisations, the greatest challenge is often not the absence of innovation, but the willingness to move beyond existing comfort zones before disruption becomes visible. 

Looking at Businesses Through an Investor's Lens 

The Venture Capital and Private Equity sessions by Professor Vikas Aggarwal introduced a different way of evaluating businesses. 

The discussions extended beyond financial performance to explore market size, scalability, leadership quality, governance, and risk. They reinforced that sustainable value creation depends not only on capital, but on disciplined judgment and active value creation. 

It was a valuable reminder that long-term success is shaped by both strategic ambition and thoughtful execution. 

When Theory Meets Decision-Making 

The simulation exercise led by Professors Vikas Aggarwal and Bala Vissa brought these ideas together in practice. 

Making decisions with incomplete information, balancing competing priorities, and collaborating under pressure made the learning immediately tangible. Watching the consequences of those decisions unfold reinforced an important lesson: leadership is rarely tested in perfect conditions. It is tested in moments of uncertainty. 

Learning Beyond the Classroom 

Some of the most enriching learning happened outside the formal sessions. 

Conversations with fellow participants added another dimension to the experience. Every discussion reflected different industries, geographies, functions, and leadership journeys, making each exchange both intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful. 

Those interactions reminded me that some of the deepest learning comes from engaging with accomplished peers who challenge your assumptions and broaden your perspective. 

Returning with Sharper Questions 

I return from INSEAD with sharper strategic thinking and renewed curiosity. 

More importantly, I leave with a deeper appreciation of how innovation, capital, leadership, and execution come together to shape the future of organisations. 

I am grateful to Professors Pushan Dutt, Michaël Bikard, Vikas Aggarwal, Bala Vissa, and my fellow participants for making this an enriching and memorable learning experience. 

Synopsis:

Vivek Mahajan is a seasoned banking professional with twenty-two years of experience at ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. Currently Principal and Senior Vice President at FundsIndia(Westbridge PE Firm), he joined PGP MAX to reskill, unlearn old patterns and prepare for the next phase of his professional journey.