Introduction. A high level of midwives’ work satisfaction not only can be an important element of medical care, especially in the case of the patient, but also determines the overall life satisfaction. Therefore, the analysis of factors affecting the level of work satisfaction is an important challenge for modern healthcare. Leadership skills can be of key importance in this context. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the level of selected leadership skills and the subjective level of work and life satisfaction of professionally active midwives. Material and methods. A study group consisted of 231 professionally active midwives. Cross-sectional studies were carried out from January to April 2018. Three standardized research tools were used to measure the analyzed variables: Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ) - self-awareness and relational transparency; Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS) and Work Satisfaction Scale (SSP). The rho-Spearman coefficients were determined in order to assess the correlation between selected variables. Results. The level of midwives work satisfaction had a positive relation with the perceived quality of life (rho = 0.25, p < 0.05). In addition, there was a positive relationship between the dimension of self-awareness (ALSAQ subscale) and the midwives’ quality of life (rho = 0.20, p < 0.05). In the case of relational transparency, there was a positive correlation with the level of work satisfaction (rho = 0.16, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Undertaking activities aimed at shaping and improving midwives’ leadership skills may have a positive influence on assessment of work and life satisfaction. This may result in greater involvement in work, as well as indirectly in increasing the effectiveness of patient care.

Key words: work satisfaction, leadership, midwifery, quality of life.