South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics

This study aims to analyze the influence of leadership and communication on employee performance, and to look at the role of work motivation as a mediating variable in this relationship. This research method uses quantitative. Data collection techniques use surveys and analysis of several literatures or other references. The research objects used are employees/staff Narcotics Prison Class II A Yogyakarta. The sample selection technique uses a saturated sampling technique. In the saturated sampling technique, all individuals in the population are selected as samples, without exception and obtained as many as 126 respondents. The analysis method in this study uses the Partial Least Square method through the structural equation modeling statistical test tool. Using Expectancy Theory as a framework, this study found that communication and work motivation significantly improve employee performance, while leadership exerts an indirect effect through motivation. This finding implies that organizations need to improve the quality of leadership and the effectiveness of internal communication as a strategic effort in encouraging work motivation and improving employee performance. Theoretically, these findings contribute to the development of leadership and motivation theory by confirming the mediating role of work motivation in improving performance. Practically, the study suggests that organizations, especially correctional institutions, should enhance leadership quality, optimize internal communication, and strengthen motivation programs to achieve better employee performance.