This study examines the effects of paternalistic leadership on teachers' emotional labor strategies and absorption, and it explores the mediating role played by leader-member exchange. A sample of 2974 primary and secondary school teachers in China participated in the study. The results showed that paternalistic leadership had a dual effect on teachers. Benevolent and authoritarian leadership enhanced teachers' deep and surface acting. Authoritarian leadership had a positive association with teachers' absorption, while moral leadership had the opposite effect. Leader-member exchange played a significant role in mediating the influence of benevolent and moral leadership on teachers' emotional labor strategies and absorption. The results highlight the importance of abandoning stereotyped leadership styles and utilizing all three dimensions of paternalistic leadership. It is suggested that school principals show benevolence with sincerity and to an appropriate degree. They should promote their communications with teachers to mitigate the negative effects of authoritarian leadership and promote leader-member exchange.