WHEN EMPLOYEES KNOW MORE THAN THEIR LEADERS: EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF LEADER INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY ON EMPLOYEE VOICE AND LEADERSHIP LEGITIMACY IN AI-ENABLED WORKPLACES

Abstract

The increasing incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into organizational operations is reshaping workplace relationships, knowledge distribution, and established leadership practices. As employees gain access to advanced AI tools and develop technological expertise, they may acquire knowledge that exceeds the technical understanding of their supervisors, challenging conventional perceptions of managerial authority and competence. In this context, this study investigated the influence of leader intellectual humility on employee voice and leadership legitimacy in AI-enabled workplaces. It specifically examined how leaders' recognition of their knowledge limitations, appreciation of employees' expertise, and receptiveness to alternative viewpoints relate to employees' willingness to communicate ideas, raise concerns, and offer constructive recommendations. The study also explored the contribution of intellectual humility to employees' acceptance of leadership authority in situations where subordinates possess greater technological knowledge than their supervisors. Grounded in intellectual humility and social exchange theory, the research adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional approach. Survey data were obtained from 400 employees working in AI-enabled organizations across different sectors in Pakistan and analysed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings demonstrated that leader intellectual humility positively and significantly influenced both employee voice and leadership legitimacy. These results indicate that leaders' willingness to recognize employee capabilities and acknowledge their own intellectual limitations is associated with stronger employee participation and greater acceptance of managerial authority. The study extends existing leadership literature by highlighting the relevance of intellectual humility in workplaces characterized by increasingly distributed technological expertise. It also provides practical insights for organizations seeking to develop receptive leadership practices, encourage constructive employee communication, and preserve leadership credibility amid ongoing technological transformation.