ISB Leadership Summit: 40 Days, One Summit, and a Crash Course in Leadership

When I joined the Indian School of Business, I was clear about one thing. I did not want leadership to remain a concept confined to classrooms and case studies. I wanted to experience it in real time, with real stakes and real consequences.

Before ISB, my exposure to leadership came from very different settings. During my undergraduate years, I led multiple student clubs and conferences. Later, as a software engineer at Arcesium, I saw leadership play out in structured, professional environments. At ISB, I was eager to test myself in a space that was faster, more demanding, and far more diverse.

That curiosity found direction when I attended the ISB Leadership Summit 2024 as part of the audience. The scale of the event, the calibre of speakers, and the honesty of the conversations stayed with me. What I did not anticipate was that within just a few months of starting the PGP, I would be given the opportunity to lead the 22nd edition of the summit at the Hyderabad campus.

The ISB Leadership Summit is not just another campus event. It is a legacy platform that has hosted former prime ministers, global CEOs, industry pioneers, authors, artists, and thought leaders. Each cohort contributes its own chapter, and this year was particularly special as it marked the first time three different cohorts came together to host the summit.

Stepping into this role felt both exciting and daunting. There was a strong sense of privilege, but also a clear understanding of the responsibility that comes with leading an event of this scale. My goal was simple but ambitious. I wanted to deliver a summit that honoured its history and genuinely resonated with the student community.

From Idea to Execution

It became evident very quickly that this would not be easy. What unfolded over the next forty days felt like a real-time masterclass in leadership and execution. Leading a core team of nearly twenty students across the PGP and PGP YL cohorts, while coordinating closely with the Student Affairs team and the PGP MAX team, required constant clarity, presence, and alignment.

Every element of the summit demanded attention. Speaker outreach, themes, session formats, marketing, audience engagement, and even the performance night involved intense planning and continuous iteration. There were moments when confirmations fell through, timelines slipped, and carefully laid plans collapsed. More than once, it felt like we were starting all over again.

Each morning became a cycle of brainstorming names, identifying leads, sending emails, following up, and hoping for traction. The original blueprint kept evolving, sometimes every few days. The uncertainty was uncomfortable, especially with the event drawing closer, but it also forced us to think sharper and collaborate better.

One of the biggest strengths during this phase was the ISB alumni network. Many potential speakers were alumni or connected to alumni, and their willingness to support us made a tangible difference. Their responsiveness and encouragement reminded me just how strong and invested the ISB community truly is.

When the Vision Came Alive

The day of the summit remains one of my most memorable days at ISB. After weeks of sustained effort, seeing the vision come alive was deeply rewarding. The packed halls, engaged audiences, and thoughtful conversations created an atmosphere that was both energising and humbling.

For a brief moment, stepping out of the organiser’s role and sitting in the audience felt special. Listening to leaders from organisations such as Myntra, Razorpay, Epigamia, and The Souled Store offered insights that went beyond prepared speeches.

What made the experience even more meaningful were the candid interactions outside the formal sessions. These are conversations students rarely get access to, and the honesty and depth with which leaders shared their journeys left a lasting impact on me.

Looking back, this experience reshaped my understanding of leadership. It taught me that leadership is not about control, but about alignment and clarity of purpose. It reinforced the power of collaboration and the importance of staying anchored to a vision even when variables keep shifting.

I am grateful for the challenge, the people, and the learning that came with leading the ISB Leadership Summit. More than anything, it reaffirmed that leadership grows through experience, and ISB offers countless opportunities to discover what that truly means.

Synopsis:

Karthik YSP reflects on his journey of leading the 22nd edition of the ISB Leadership Summit during his PGP at the Indian School of Business. From coordinating multiple cohorts to navigating uncertainty under tight timelines, the experience offered a real-world lesson in leadership, collaboration, and staying anchored to purpose beyond the classroom.