This study focused on the dimensions of source credibility and their impact on superintendent leadership effectiveness and principal job satisfaction when mediated by motivating language as part of rural superintendents' administrative talk and practice. Principal perception survey data was used in this cross-sectional study. Over 40% of the principals from a top-ten ranked state located in a rural western area of United States of America responded to the online survey. In general, the relationships between the dimension, goodwill, competence, and trustworthiness were mediated by motivating language. The path analysis findings suggest that Motivating Language (ML) serves as an important mechanism for superintendent communication effectiveness in achieving the outcomes of principal job satisfaction and superintendent leadership effectiveness. The results are discussed, along with implications for practice and future research.