This study aims to examine the effect of leadership, motivation, and job satisfaction on the performance of education and culture department employees of Padang Pariaman Regency. The sampling technique used is by using the proportional stratified random sampling method. The questionnaire was distributed to 112 employees of the Padang Pariaman District Education and Culture Department. Data were analyzed using Path Analysis and processed with SPSS 16.00. The results show that leadership has a significant effect on work motivation, leadership does not have a significant effect on job satisfaction, work motivation has a significant effect on job satisfaction, leadership does not have a significant influence on performance, work motivation has a significant effect on job performance and satisfaction significantly influence performance employee of the Padang Pariaman District Education and Culture Department.