Effective transitions to stakeholder capitalism require leaders with a marketing mindset—boundary-spanning professionals who understand finance, metrics, and the psychology of ESG, enabling credible communication and stakeholder engagement. Research shows CEOs with marketing experience achieve higher ESG performance than those with backgrounds in finance, operations, or law. Strategic leadership also matters: a meta-analysis reveals that boards exert stronger influence on ESG than top management teams, and traits such as prosocial values, education, gender diversity, tenure, outside connections, and even moderated narcissism positively predict ESG outcomes. Because stakeholder capitalism involves managing tensions and trade-offs, humble leadership is essential. Humility—accurate self-view, appreciation of others, teachability, and modesty—supports learning, trust, and creativity, all critical for authentic ESG. Humility can be cultivated by increasing female leadership and integrating mindfulness or Stoic practices. Middle managers play a pivotal role in diffusing CSR values, shaping employees’ perceptions, and sustaining purpose-driven cultures, making their buy-in and training indispensable.