Aman Worku (PhD)Jemil Shifaw2026-02-062026-02-062025-05https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/7633The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of principals’ leadership styles on teachers’ job satisfaction in private primary schools in Gullele sub-city, Addis Ababa. A descriptive research design with a quantitative research method was employed. Out of 38 private primary schools in Gullele sub-city, 6 were selected using purposive sampling method. The target population consisted of private primary school principals and teachers. Data were collected from 152 randomly selected teachers (87 males and 65 females) and 6 purposively selected principals (4 males and 2 females) through questionnaires, as this tool allows the collection of a large amount of information in a relatively short period. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 26, employing statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, and t-test. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were also used to examine the relationship between variables. The findings revealed that both transactional and transformational leadership styles were positively associated with teachers’ job satisfaction, with transactional leadership showing a stronger impact. It was also observed that transformational leadership was the most commonly practiced style. Additionally, teachers reported lower satisfaction in areas such as pay and operational procedures. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of active, intentional leadership particularly a balanced use of transactional and transformational strategies in fostering teacher job satisfaction and professional fulfillment. Finally the researcher recommended that the Addis Ababa Education Bureau, the Gullele sub-city Education office, and school principals advised to implement a balanced approach incorporating both transactional and transformational leadership styles to enhance and attain teacher job satisfaction and improve the quality of education in private primary schools.enLeadership stylesprincipalsTeachers’ job satisfactionprivate primary schoolsThesis