Abstract: The bootleg innovation behavior of new generation employees is a crucial component of enterprise innovation activities, which has a double-edged sword effect on the enterprise development. Based on leadership style theory, the impact mechanism of visionary leadership on the bootleg innovation behavior of the new generation of employees was focused on, and the relationship between the two, as well as the mediating role of supervisor-subordinate relationships, was explored. Through the analysis of 358 valid questionnaires collected from cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, hierarchical regression analysis combined with the Bootstrap method was employed to investigate whether and how visionary leadership influences the bootleg innovation behavior of the new generation of employees. The results indicate that visionary leadership not only directly stimulates the bootleg innovation behavior of the new generation of employees but also indirectly promotes such behavior by influencing their perception of supervisor-subordinate relationships. Additionally, significant gender differences were observed in the relationships among visionary leadership, supervisor-subordinate relationships, and bootleg innovation behavior. Specifically, compared to their female counterparts, male employees exhibited a more positive perception of supervisor-subordinate relationships under visionary leadership and were more likely to engage in bootleg innovation behavior. This study provides new insights for enterprises to stimulate the innovative vitality of the new generation of employees: organizations should emphasize the cultivation of visionary leadership, foster shared visions, and enhance supervisor-subordinate relationships to guide employees in transforming bootleg innovation into a driving force for organizational development. Furthermore, enterprises should pay attention to gender differences among the new generation of employees and create an inclusive and supportive innovation environment to fully unleash their innovative potential.