TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP, WORK-LIFE BALANCE, AND THEIR IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB SATISFACTION

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of Transformational Leadership and Work-Life Balance on
employee performance, both directly and indirectly through Job Satisfaction, among employees of
SMKN 2 Tanjung Balai. The research population consisted of all 31 permanent employees, and
due to the small population size, a saturated sampling technique was applied, including all
employees as research participants. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires,
while secondary data were obtained through documentation studies. Quantitative analysis was
conducted using SPSS version 25, employing t-tests, Sobel tests, and path analysis to examine the
relationships between variables. The findings reveal that Transformational Leadership has a
positive and significant effect on Job Satisfaction, indicating that effective leadership enhances
employee satisfaction. Similarly, Work-Life Balance is shown to positively and significantly
influence Job Satisfaction, highlighting the importance of managing personal and professional
demands. Both Transformational Leadership and Work-Life Balance also have significant direct
effects on employee performance, demonstrating their role in improving productivity and work
outcomes. Additionally, Job Satisfaction itself significantly contributes to performance, acting as
a crucial mediating factor. The study further confirms that Transformational Leadership and Work
Life Balance indirectly enhance performance through increased Job Satisfaction. These results
suggest that fostering supportive leadership practices and promoting a healthy work-life balance
not only improve employee satisfaction but also strengthen overall performance. In conclusion,
organizations aiming to boost productivity should prioritize both leadership development and
work-life balance initiatives, as these factors directly and indirectly contribute to enhanced
employee performance by cultivating higher levels of job satisfaction.
Keywords: Transformational Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Performance, and Work Life Balance .