The present research, rooted in operations research, investigates the influence of leadership styles on total quality management (TQM) in the healthcare sector of Palestine. The study examines the mediating role of readiness to change integration within decision sciences between leadership styles of operations employees and TQM. Employing a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional design, data was systematically sampled from 120 healthcare workers in governmental hospitals. Utilizing Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) for analysis, the findings underscore a positive and significant impact of leadership styles on TQM in healthcare. Additionally, the study reveals a significant and positive impact of leadership style on TQM, mediated by readiness to change. These noteworthy findings contribute to the operations research domain, providing insights into the interplay of leadership dynamics and TQM implementation in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, by bridging theoretical frameworks with practical applications, the study offers actionable strategies for healthcare leaders to enhance TQM implementation, ultimately aiming for improved operational efficiency and patient outcomes.