Purpose: This paper aims to offer a case study for teaching specific systems thinking competencies that promote leadership for systems change. It uses leadership as a novel way to identify and organize systems thinking competencies that are important for successful multistakeholder collaboration. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to assess learning outcomes across four cohorts of graduate students -- with approximately 30 students per cohort -- from 2017 to 2020 in the USA. The study examined a one-month-long assignment, out of a year-long program, that focuses on systems leadership for climate change. Findings: Our findings demonstrate that higher education programs can successfully build these competencies in sustainability students and professionals. Our pedagogical approach enhances students' systems thinking and leadership competencies. Originality/value: We advance the understanding and teaching of systems thinking by integrating it with the direction, alignment and commitment model of leadership. Reframing systems thinking through the lens of leadership offers an important innovation and focus to the theory of systems thinking, and the pedagogy of building competencies sustainability professionals need.