Learning to Lead Beyond the Code at PGP YL

Growing up, I was the kid who would break his PC just to understand how it worked. That curiosity quietly shaped my early years as an introvert who preferred exploring ideas over expressing them. It was only when I began my engineering degree at Pune Institute of Computer Technology that I consciously stepped out of that shell. From leading the PICT NSS chapter to working closely with the PICT IEEE Student Branch, I began to realise that while technical skills mattered, communication and leadership were what truly amplified impact. Bringing people together around an idea was just as important as the idea itself.

Understanding Technology as an Enabler

Coming from a business family, I had always sensed that technology does not exist in isolation. This belief truly took shape during my time at ION Group as part of their Leadership Development Program. I began like most product-based roles, deep diving into CTRMs, legacy systems and technology stacks. Soon, however, I found myself leading an automation project, building a tool from scratch while managing multiple stakeholders across teams.

In one review meeting, it struck me that the success of the tool depended less on its architecture and more on whether end users trusted and understood it. Building the tool was the easy part. Understanding people was the real challenge. That experience became a turning point. Technology, I realised, is an enabler of business. Real value is created only when technical capability meets business need.

Finding the Right Intersection at ISB

I knew I needed to formalise this learning, but I was not looking for a generic management degree. I wanted a programme that sat at the intersection of business strategy and rapid technological change. That search led me to the Indian School of Business.

Two aspects stood out immediately. The first was ISB’s deep integration of AI into the curriculum. Having followed ISB closely, I was drawn to how AI was embedded into classroom learning at a scale I had not seen elsewhere. With my background, I knew AI was not optional but foundational. The opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology while building strong business fundamentals made the decision clear.

The second was the founding cohort factor. Joining a brand-new programme came with uncertainty, but it also offered a rare opportunity to help shape what PGP YL would become. Being part of the cohort that defines the culture, traditions and identity of the programme felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that outweighed the risks.

From Classroom Learning to Personal Resilience

The transition to ISB has been intense but deeply rewarding. What surprised me most in the first three terms was how immediately relevant the coursework felt. Sitting in Behavioural Foundations classes and learning about stakeholder management, I found myself connecting theory directly to complex meetings I had experienced at ION. Frontier Technologies classes gave structure to disruptions I had already seen unfold in the industry.

The diversity of the cohort has been another game changer. A single topic can spark ten different viewpoints in class, each shaped by a peer’s unique background. That diversity has enriched learning beyond textbooks.

The real test, however, came during the Summer Internship Placement season. Coming from a purely technical background, I had to unlearn and relearn how to present myself to recruiters. Late nights were spent updating my resume to the RAC format, preparing cases and getting ready for interviews. There was anxiety, nervousness and the pressure of the unknown. It was a constant swing between confidence in mock interviews and nerves during the real ones.

A Diwali to Remember

All those sleepless nights led to moments I will never forget. Receiving the final internship offer felt like validation that my pivot from pure technology to business leadership was on the right track. But the most emotional moment came on Diwali night, when I received an email awarding me a scholarship. The first thing I did was video call my parents. Seeing the pride in their eyes made every risk, every late night and every move from Pune to Hyderabad feel worth it.

As I prepare for my internship, I carry forward not just technical rigour from my engineering years, but also the strategic frameworks, perspective and confidence ISB has given me.

For anyone from a technical background considering PGP YL, the transition is challenging. But the view from the other side, where you can understand both the code and the case study, is deeply rewarding. The future belongs to those who can build solutions and lead conversations around them.

Synopsis:

From an engineering classroom to ISB’s founding PGP YL cohort, Sanyog Kalantri reflects on his journey of self-discovery, leadership and resilience. The blog traces how ISB helped him bridge technology and business thinking, navigate placement pressures, and gain confidence to lead conversations beyond code.