The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association of follower's strengths-based leadership (FSBL) with follower innovative behavior and the meditating role of self-efficacy in the relationship. Furthermore, this paper also explored the moderating role of emotional exhaustion in the relationship between FSBL, self-efficacy, and innovative behavior. Data were gathered through online survey questionnaires. The sample consisted of 705 employees who have worked in various enterprises in China. Bootstrapping analysis was utilized to examine the proposed hypotheses. The results revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between FSBL and follower innovative behavior, and self-efficacy mediated the relationship. In addition, this study also found that emotional exhaustion positively moderated the direct relationship between self-efficacy and innovative behavior and the indirect relationship between FSBL and innovative behavior via self-efficacy. This study provides a new piece of evidence for the FSBL and innovative behavior relation and contributes to the understanding of the motivational mechanism and boundary condition of the relationship between FSBL and follower innovative behavior.