The paper aims to explore how transactional leadership style (TSL) affects job performance (JP), while also considering if stress management (SMG) plays a moderating role. The paper gathered survey responses from five hundred- and fifty-three-line managers in SMEs listed in the RegistrarGeneral’s Department of Ghana database. Employing a two-step Structural Equation Modelling, Partial Least Squares technique for data analysis, the outcomes depicted that TSL significantly and positively influences JP. However, SMG does not moderate the relationship between TSL and JP, despite having a significant and positive influence on JP. The paper suggests that SME owners and line managers should invest in stress management within their firms. Line managers who effectively manage stress can use the TSL style to enhance both their performance and the firms.