The Mediating Role of Motivation on the Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Work Performance of Teachers from Sta. Josefa District

Abstract

This study investigated the mediating role of motivation in the relationship between transformational leadership and work performance among secondary school teachers in Sta. Josefa District, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. Using a quantitative non-experimental research design, data were collected from 131 teachers across seven secondary schools. The study employed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) Form 5X, Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ), and a motivation scale adapted from previous research. Results revealed very high levels of transformational leadership (M = 4.37, SD = 0.76) and motivation (M = 4.42, SD = 0.64), with high overall work performance (M = 3.53, SD = 0.95). Significant positive correlations were found between transformational leadership and motivation (r = 0.63, p < 0.001), motivation and work performance (r = 0.391, p < 0.001), and transformational leadership and work performance (r = 0.435, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis using the Sobel test (z = 3.19, p = 0.001) indicated that motivation partially mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and work performance, accounting for 39.4% of the total effect. These findings contribute to the understanding of leadership dynamics in educational settings and suggest the importance of fostering both transformational leadership practices and teacher motivation to enhance work performance. Implications for educational leadership, policy, and future research are discussed.