A transformative leadership lab for PGPFMB 38

At the heart of the Post Graduation Programme in Family Managed Business (PGPFMB) lies the belief that leadership begins with self-awareness. Following five immersive weeks of phase one, PGPFMB batch 38 stepped away from the classroom and into the natural setting of Garudmaachi for the personal development and leadership lab, an outbound experience that blends reflection with action.

This unique module brings together two complementary courses. The one-credit personal development course focuses on deep individual reflection through structured one-to-one mentoring sessions. Here, students are encouraged to pause, observe themselves, and ask meaningful questions; they do not seek ready-made answers, but rather aim to discover their authentic selves. Many students describe these sessions as affirming moments of clarity, helping them to verify their direction and reconnect with their inner compass.

Running alongside this is the three-credit leadership lab, an experiential learning journey where leadership is not taught, but discovered. Through carefully designed outdoor challenges and facilitated debriefs, students work in small groups to explore influence, teamwork, peer relationships, and team leadership through games and structured activities. Every activity becomes a mirror, revealing how one performs under pressure, connects with others, and leads with intent.

What makes Garudmaachi special is not just the activities, but the space it creates for reflection, humility, courage, and realisation. Away from everyday distractions, students confront discomfort, trust their peers, and often discover strengths they did not know they possessed.

At SPJIMR, we take pride in creating learning experiences that shape not just capable managers, but grounded, self-aware leaders. The personal development and leadership lab stands as a powerful reminder that leadership is an inside-out journey, one that our students carry forward long after they return from the hills.