Why learning never stops: the mindset behind executive leadership
For many senior professionals, years of experience can feel like the ultimate qualification. But in a rapidly evolving business landscape, the most effective leaders understand that learning is never complete.
Continuous growth isn’t just about gaining new knowledge, it’s about challenging assumptions, broadening perspectives, and developing the mindset to lead through change.
Hamish Ravindran, Chief Client Officer for Howden Asia and an alumnus of the SP Jain Global Executive MBA, shares how returning to the classroom mid-career reshaped his approach to leadership, strengthened his confidence, and reinforced a belief that investing in yourself is one of the most valuable decisions you can make.
Tell us about yourself, your professional journey, and the leadership responsibilities you hold today.
My name is Hamish Ravindran, and I currently serve as Chief Client Officer for Howden Asia, where I lead the growth of our multinational client practice across the region. I work with some of Asia-Pacific’s largest multinational organisations, advising them on complex risk management, insurance, and strategic resilience, particularly in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, energy and data centres.
My career began as an engineer before I transitioned into the insurance industry, where I spent over two decades developing technical expertise and building long-term relationships with global clients. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to lead regional teams, mentor colleagues, and help organisations navigate increasingly complex business risks. Today, my role is centred on leadership, strategy, client advocacy, and helping both my clients and my teams achieve long-term success.
What inspired you to pursue the SP Jain Global EMBA at that stage of your career?
I began the SP Jain Global Executive MBA in 2016 and graduated in May 2018. During the program, I was honoured to be placed on the Dean’s List twice. Pursuing the EMBA had been a long-held personal ambition. Having completed an undergraduate degree in Engineering earlier in my career, I always felt there was one piece missing—a formal business education that would complement my technical background.
The timing was also influenced by a mentor who encouraged me to continue investing in myself despite an already demanding career. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made. It challenged me to think beyond my functional expertise and equipped me with a much broader understanding of finance, strategy and leadership.
Was there a learning, business framework, classroom discussion, or project from the EMBA that continues to influence the way you think, lead, or make decisions?
While I gained tremendous business knowledge from the program, the greatest lesson wasn’t found in a textbook. Balancing a demanding regional role, family responsibilities and an Executive MBA taught me what I was truly capable of when I committed fully to a goal. Every lunch break, evening, flight and weekend became an opportunity to study. It fundamentally changed my perspective on time and discipline.
The experience taught me that we often have far more time available than we think—we simply need to prioritise it better. Since then, I’ve stopped saying, “I don’t have time.” Instead, I ask myself, “How important is this to me?” That mindset continues to shape how I lead, manage priorities and pursue ambitious goals, both professionally and personally.
Looking back, how did the EMBA complement your professional journey and contribute to your growth as a leader?
The EMBA gave me far more than business knowledge—it gave me confidence. It strengthened my ability to engage with senior executives on commercial, financial, and strategic issues while reinforcing my confidence to take on greater leadership responsibilities. More importantly, it proved to me that I could achieve goals that initially seemed beyond my reach. That self-belief has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to influence how I approach new opportunities, difficult decisions and leadership challenges. It also reinforced the importance of lifelong learning and continuously investing in yourself, regardless of where you are in your career.
What message would you like to share with experienced professionals who believe work experience alone is enough and are unsure whether to invest in continuous learning?
Experience will always be valuable, but experience alone is no longer enough. In today’s world, where AI can provide information instantly, the real differentiators are qualities that technology cannot easily replicate—discipline, resilience, curiosity, critical thinking, communication and the confidence to lead others. Continuous learning isn’t simply about acquiring knowledge. It’s about challenging yourself, expanding your perspective and becoming a better leader, colleague and person. Investing in yourself is one of the few investments that compounds for the rest of your life.
About the Author
Our EMBA (2018) alumnus, Hamish Ravindran is Chief Client Officer for Howden Asia, where he leads strategic growth for multinational clients across Asia-Pacific. An engineer by training and a business leader by profession, he brings over 20 years of experience in risk management, leadership, and helping organisations build resilience in an evolving global business landscape.
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