Social innovation plays a critical role in addressing pressing societal and environmental problems worldwide. This concept refers to bringing together people and resources to create new approaches, often involving participants from diverse sectors such as business, government, civil society, and academia. Effective leaders must possess empathy, humility, and active listening skills to navigate complex collaborations that balance short-term outcomes with long-term impact. They must also articulate a compelling vision, foster stakeholder buy-in across diverse constituencies, and establish trust through distributed and inclusive leadership practices. Cross-sectoral partnerships are essential in social innovation, where actors from different sectors bring their unique assets and limitations to the table. Leaders must navigate paradoxical tensions that arise when addressing complex challenges, such as balancing financial returns with social impact or reconciling conflicting logics and priorities. Social innovation’s leadership requirements involve adaptability, creativity, and a collaborative approach, making it essential for leaders to adopt systems thinking orientations that enable them to engage with diverse stakeholders holding differing priorities.