This paper focuses on three variables: job satisfaction (JS), organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and participative leadership (PL). The main purpose is to examine the relationship between JS and OCB among employees, mediated by PL. The data were collected from 287 employees in Croatian companies. Using hierarchical regression to test the hypothesis, the study revealed a positive relationship between JS and OCB. The results also highlight the role PL has as a mediator for the JS and OCB relationship. The paper suggests that PL triggers JS and OCB by enhancing and reinforcing the relationship between them. The implication of the results is discussed emphasizing the benefits of the participative management style and democratic structures in the organizations for theory, research, and practice. This paper contributes to the growing literature aimed at understanding the drivers of OCB in organizations.