This study aims to examine the influence of competence and creativity on employee performance, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of interpersonal communication and work ethic. The study was conducted on 126 employees of the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office across three regencies. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modeling. The results indicate that both competence and creativity have a significant positive influence on employee performance. Furthermore, interpersonal communication and work ethic mediate the relationship between competence and creativity on employee performance. These results provide empirical support for goal-setting theory.