Thomas Pesquet: From Space to Leadership with the INSEAD GEMBA

From space to strategy

Pesquet is no stranger to new frontiers. Originally trained as an engineer, he became a commercial pilot before joining the European Space Agency as an astronaut in 2009. He’s completed two missions aboard the International Space Station. But even after orbiting Earth, he found himself asking: What’s next?

Approaching his 40s, Pesquet realised it was time to invest in something new. 

“I decided to start something different and to enroll in the INSEAD Global Executive MBA. I was looking for learning—well, I got some serious learning! It was intense, but it was worth it.”

Lifelong learning and reinvention

For Pesquet, education isn’t a phase—it’s a lifelong commitment. “It cannot be overstated how beneficial it is to not just always rely on what you know how to do, but to push yourself toward what you don’t know how to do.” That mindset brought him to INSEAD, where the GEMBA programme offered not only academic excellence, but also an unmatched level of diversity.

“With 65 nationalities in a cohort, I don’t think any other business school can match that. I was looking to open my mind to as many countries and perspectives as I could.”

Diversity as a catalyst for growth

That global mix of cultures, industries, and viewpoints became one of the most enriching aspects of Pesquet's experience. “You’re put into small groups with people who are hugely different from you—different sectors, different languages, different worlds, really. And that diversity is what makes the learning so powerful.”

It’s in these moments of collaboration, Pesquet explains, that personal and professional growth really happens.

 “It requires agility. It requires listening. It requires truly understanding what makes other people tick. And in doing so, you sharpen your own problem-solving skills.”

This diversity reflects why the INSEAD Global Executive MBA is considered one of the world’s leading executive leadership development programmes.

A new approach to leadership

Over the course of the programme, INSEAD’s Leadership Development Programme (LDP) became a cornerstone for Pesquet. “It became central to the learning experience. When you're stuck with a problem you can't solve, you don’t just throw yourself at it. You look around. Who’s the best person for this? What’s the best team to tackle it?”

This marked a shift from individual problem-solver to collaborative leader—something he now sees as essential to long-term leadership.

As the former commander of the International Space Station, Pesquet understands high-stakes leadership. But the GEMBA introduced him to a broader, more developmental style. “You want to help others become the best version of themselves. And you want them to help you do the same.”

A launchpad for what comes next

What lies ahead for Pesquet remains a sea of possibilities.

“You can change your trajectory. You can stay on the same path, but on a different level. Or you can pivot completely.” Whatever direction he chooses, one thing is certain: GEMBA has given him the tools to navigate it with confidence.

“It’s intense,” he says. “It can be scary sometimes. But it’s definitely worth embarking—and strapping in.”

Whether you are an astronaut, a senior manager, or a professional seeking to elevate your career, the INSEAD Global Executive MBA—available in France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and now in the flexible GEMBA Flex format—offers the ideal environment to develop global perspectives, sharpen leadership skills, and accelerate your impact.