Abstract
This study examined the influence of leadership styles on employee job satisfaction in rural banks in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Specifically, it assessed the extent to which transformational, transactional, affiliative, authoritative and participative leadership are practiced; evaluated the perceived impact of these styles on job satisfaction; and analyzed the relationships between each leadership style and satisfaction outcomes. A quantitative, descriptive–correlational design was employed using a validated survey administered to 75 employees selected through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to measure leadership practices and satisfaction levels, while Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical multiple regression determined the strength and predictive power of the relationships. Results showed consistently high mean scores across all leadership styles, with participative leadership rated highest. Job satisfaction indicators also received high ratings, indicating a strong perceived influence of leadership. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between all leadership styles and job satisfaction, with participative and affiliative leadership showing the strongest correlations. Hierarchical regression demonstrated that participative, affiliative and transformational leadership significantly predicted job satisfaction and collectively explained a substantial portion of its variance, while transactional leadership contributed minimally after accounting for other styles. The study concludes that leadership in rural banks is most effective when it integrates participatory, relational and developmental behaviors that foster employee engagement and satisfaction.
Keywords: Employee Attitudes, Hierarchical Regression, Job Satisfaction, Leadership Styles, Participative Leadership, Rural Banks.