The Influence of School Principals' Communication Style on Teacher Job Satisfaction

Effective communication is essential to successful school leadership, influencing teacher performance, motivation, and retention. This study explored how school principals’ communication styles affect teacher job satisfaction, especially openness, feedback, empathy, and collaboration. Using a concurrent mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 200 teachers (via the Communication Style Scale and Job Satisfaction Survey), and qualitative data were collected from interviews with 10 principals and 20 teachers. Statistical analysis with SPSS revealed a strong positive correlation (r = .72) between communication style and job satisfaction, with transparency (β = 0.41) and regular feedback (β = 0.35) as the strongest predictors. Thematic analysis using NVivo highlighted five key themes: approachability, clarity, constructive feedback, emotional support, and shared decision-making. Teachers reported feeling more engaged and valued when principals communicated openly and empathetically, while vague or authoritarian communication was linked to dissatisfaction and burnout. This underscores that communication is not just a managerial skill, but a strategic leadership skill that builds trust and fosters professional engagement. Recommendations include incorporating communication training in principal preparation programs and evaluating communication in leadership assessments.