Based on the self-concept theory, this study explores when and how platform leadership affects employees’ radical creativity, examining the mediating role of organizational self-esteem and the moderating role of promoting regulatory focus. Through empirical testing of 358 corporate questionnaire data, the study found that platform leadership positively enhances employees’ radical creativity by influencing organizational self-esteem, which plays a partial mediating role between the two; Promoting focus significantly positively moderates the direct positive impact of platform leadership on organizational-based self-esteem, further moderating the indirect effect of organizational-based self-esteem between platform leadership and employees’ radical creativity. This study reveals the ways, processes, and applicable conditions of platform leadership in promoting employees’ radical creativity, providing new ideas for organizations to improve employees’ radical creativity.