Do it for yourself. There is no better investment.
Theodoros Govdelas
Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?
Going to INSEAD has put my other big project on hold: landing my first forward loop in windsurfing. I guess it will have to wait until 2027.
Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today, both professionally and personally.
I describe myself on my CV as an “entrepreneurial industrial CEO with 20 years’ experience founding, scaling and operating asset-intensive businesses across mining, shipping and construction.” In practice, it all started by taking over and turning around our family businesses, which were in difficulty. Overcoming hardship is what brought me here, both personally and professionally. The Greek crisis, thank you for that. The biggest lesson I learned is that before you can turn around any business, you must first turn around yourself.
What led you to decide to pursue an Executive MBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?
There comes a point in your career when you start to feel comfortable. Experience kicks in, things make more and more sense, and everything seems more or less under control. This is usually when complacency settles in, and blind spots begin to act covertly as inhibitors to further growth. That is the perfect moment to challenge yourself and your assumptions, and the INSEAD programme is ideal for doing just that.
It is so much more than learning; it is growth, first personal, then professional.
How would you describe your experience so far? What is your impression of the faculty, the curriculum, and your fellow participants?
Both the faculty and the curriculum have exceeded my expectations. The quality of the professors is world-class, and the curriculum is very well structured and thoughtfully designed. It is not just about providing academic knowledge. Most importantly, they make sure to emphasise the one or two key concepts and takeaways from each subject we approach, and all of this overlaps smoothly to form a coherent message as a whole.
This alone would be more than enough for any good school, but INSEAD offers so much more. Bringing together a diverse group of individuals who share the same eagerness to learn and curiosity, and creating a framework where they truly exchange knowledge and experience, is the true strength of INSEAD.
Can you share a little about your application process and what you found most helpful and challenging during your preparation?
I broke down my application process into steps and tackled them one by one. Some were easier than others. The formal requirements were obviously the easiest part. I also enjoyed the essays, as they gave me the opportunity to reflect on myself and the motivations behind this move.
One tricky part was preparing for the Executive Assessment, as I wanted my score to be sufficiently strong to support my candidature. Only once I had achieved the score I was aiming for did I move forward with meeting my referees and asking for their support.
The filmed interview felt slightly awkward but was fun to do, while the live interview was a first glimpse of what INSEAD truly is and stands for. I have Singh (GEMBA 24) to thank for that. The biggest hurdle came right after receiving the good news of my acceptance: securing the funds necessary for the down payment. But when you have come this far, money is the last thing that will stop you.
What struck me most during the process was having the admissions team by my side throughout. They were available whenever I needed help, always responsive, always helpful and always coming up with solutions. Most importantly, they were supportive and encouraging at every step.
What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme?
Just do it. Not for your job, not for the “network,” not for the prestige of the school or the diploma. Do it for yourself. There is no better investment. Whatever the outcome, you can be sure of one thing: the result will always be a net positive. It will take time and require effort, but the returns are disproportionately high, and you will make lifelong friends along the way.
