From High-Stakes Execution to Strategic Leadership: My Journey at PGP PRO

While many journeys begin with ambition, mine began with pressure, accountability and a quiet, persistent fire to become better.

My career has taken me through some of the most demanding ecosystems like electric mobility, defence imaging and now space technology. I have worked on programmes where a single decision can impact millions of dollars, where delays can jeopardise entire missions, and where teams look to you when things begin to fall apart.

These experiences taught me how to execute with precision, solve problems under pressure and lead cross functional teams with confidence. Yet despite everything I had achieved, two ambitions kept growing stronger. One was to scale into senior leadership, eventually moving into a Head of Operations role. The other was to build something of my own, an entrepreneurial venture shaped by my ideas and values.

I realised that to move from strong operational leadership to strategic leadership, and to take the first real step towards entrepreneurship, I needed a broader business lens. That realisation led me to ISB.

Why ISB Became the Natural Next Step

What began as a desire to accelerate my leadership journey soon evolved into something much larger. ISB offered exactly what I was looking for. A strategic, CEO level perspective on business, exposure to diverse and high calibre peers, a structured and analytical approach to decision making, and a platform that actively encourages entrepreneurship rather than treating it as an afterthought.

But the real turning point was personal. When I received my admit, it felt like an important milestone for me, but I quickly realised it meant even more to my family.

I have worked on satellites, thermal imaging devices and EV programmes for international clients, yet nothing compares to the feeling I experienced when I saw the pride in my parents’ eyes. Every time they told friends and relatives that their son was pursuing an MBA at ISB, their expressions changed. Not through words, but through emotion. My father has always been proud of me, but this moment felt different. It felt like we were stepping into this next chapter together. That alone made the journey worthwhile.

How the Cohort Changed Everything

Every time I feel ISB has already given me its most memorable moment, the cohort creates another. During a casual weekend discussion, I mentioned a startup idea I had been thinking about for years but had never pursued seriously. Within minutes, my peers connected me to the right people, shared guidance and encouraged me to act.

What started as a simple conversation quickly turned into a defining moment. The company registration happened almost overnight. Today, the idea is no longer just an idea. It is in motion. And it began because my cohort believed in it even before I fully did.

ISB did not just enhance my knowledge. It fundamentally changed how I think. I now approach challenges strategically rather than purely operationally. I make decisions with a panoramic understanding of business, connecting technical, financial and commercial implications. Most importantly, I gained the confidence and clarity to begin my entrepreneurial journey.

The shift has been subtle but transformative. I assess problems differently. I communicate like a leader rather than a manager. And I view opportunities through an entirely new lens.

Looking Ahead with Clarity and Confidence

If you are a working professional wondering whether PGP PRO is worth the sacrifice of weekends, late nights and intense coursework, here is the truth. It will stretch you. It will test your discipline. And it will transform your mindset.

You will not just learn frameworks. You will learn how leaders think. You will not just meet classmates. You will meet future collaborators, mentors and friends who challenge you to grow. If you are ready to move beyond your current version of yourself, ISB is the right place.

I joined ISB to fast track my growth into leadership. I never expected it would also give me the spark and support to launch my entrepreneurial journey. Today, I am more aligned than ever with my long term aspiration of becoming a Head of Operations, while simultaneously building something of my own for the first time.

ISB did not simply broaden my perspective. It expanded my vision of who I can become. And this journey is only just beginning.

Synopsis:

In this reflective account, Vineeth Reddy traces his journey through ISB’s PGP PRO programme, from high-stakes roles in defence, electric mobility and space technology to discovering strategic leadership and entrepreneurship. Through peer learning, faculty guidance and real-world application, ISB helped him move from operational excellence to broader business vision and personal transformation.