Drawing on implicit leadership theory and construal level theory, this study explores the internal logic and boundary condition of how motivation to lead influences leadership emergence through job performance.The results reveal that whether or not employees with a strong motivation to lead would choose to improve their in-role and creative performance, and engage in organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) to accomplish their leadership aspiration, is contingent upon their construal level. When employees’ construal level is high, their motivation to lead would significantly enhance their in-role and creative performance, and encourage their OCB. Conversely, when employees’ construal level is low, this incentive effect of motivation to lead would not be significant. Achieving leadership emergence solely through improving in-role performance can be challenging, however, improving creative performance and engaging in OCB can help employees attain their leadership aspiration.