Transformational Leadership in Driving Change in Madrasahs: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Madrasah Principals
Keywords:
Islamic principles, Minangkabau local knowledge, public and private madrasahs, transformational leadership, change management
Abstract
Using MTsN 17 Tanah Datar and MTsS Balimbing Tanah Datar as case studies, this study attempts to examine and contrast how madrasah principals apply transformational leadership in promoting organizational change inside public and private madrasahs. The study uses a multiple case study design and a qualitative methodology, gathering data through documentation, in-depth interviews, and observation. Data analysis follows the Miles and Huberman approach, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion formulation. The results show that both principals effectively implemented the four fundamental elements of transformational leadership: idealized influence, intellectual stimulation, inspirational drive, and customized consideration as suggested by Bass and Avolio (1994). The principal of MTsN 17 Tanah Datar exhibits a disciplined, professional, and innovative leadership style that incorporates transformational, instructional, and distributed leadership techniques, focused on academic quality enhancement and managerial efficiency. Meanwhile, the principle of MTsS Balimbing Tanah Datar promotes emotional, spiritual, and participatory qualities founded on Islamic values and Minangkabau indigenous wisdom. These results demonstrate that a contextual, flexible, and long-lasting model of Islamic educational leadership is produced when a leader successfully integrates universal transformational values with spirituality and local culture.
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Al Mawardi, I. (2020). Al-Ahkam As-Sulthaniyyah: Hukum-Hukum Penyelenggaraan Negara dalam Syariat Islam - Imam Al Mawardi - Google Buku.
Álvarez Toro-Moreno, A. (2024). Universidad de las Américas This study delves into the identification of effective strategies for change management within the scope of university digital transformation projects. In the era of pervasive digitalization, educational institutions are under. Conference: 28th International Congress on Project Management and Engineering CIDIP. https://doi.org/10.61547/2407001
Arif, S., Hidayati, D., Kebijakan, A., Dalam, P., & Madrasah, P. (2024). Analisis Kebijakan Pendidikan Dalam Perspektif Madrasah. Syntax Idea, 6(3), 1138–1148. https://doi.org/10.46799/SYNTAX-IDEA.V6I3.3057
Bairašauskienė, L. (2018). School management change in the context of educational management paradigms shift. Tiltai : Socialiniai Mokslai., 80(2), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.15181/TBB.V79I2.1783
Barling, J. (2000). Transformational Leadership What is it that wonderful leaders do that elevates us? And can we learn to do it, too? Find us on the web at www.qsb.ca/insight and on Twitter at @QSBInsight.
Bass, A. (1994). Improving Organizational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership - Google Buku.
Bradshaw, R., Chebbi, M., & Oztel, H. (2015). Leadership and knowledge sharing. Asian Journal of Business Research, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.14707/ajbr.150001
Burns, J. M. (1979). Leadership. James MacGregor Burns. The Journal of Politics, 41(4), 1226–1227. https://doi.org/10.2307/2129747
Claudet, J. G. (2016). Deconstructing the Breakthrough Leadership Thinking of Visionary Social Change Agents<br/>—Insights and Strategies for Leading Transformative Change from Four Case Studies. Advances in Applied Sociology, 06(09), 271–318. https://doi.org/10.4236/aasoci.2016.69023
Daman Huri, J., & Yacub. (2024). Pranata-Sosial Pendidikan Islam di Indonesia: Sekolah, Madrasah, dan Pesantren - ISLAM EDU : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Agama Islam.
Deng, C., Gulseren, D., Isola, C., Grocutt, K., & Turner, N. (2023). Transformational leadership effectiveness: an evidence-based primer. Human Resource Development International, 26(5), 627–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2022.2135938
Ele, A. A., Augustine, A., Eja, M. A., Egbonyi, R. C., Ido, D. E. E., Asor, M., & Ido, D. E. (2021). Educational change management strategy strat egy and effective school supervision in Nigeria. International Journal of Educational Research and Management Technology Anagement Technology, 6(1).
Fry, L. W. (2003). Toward a theory of spiritual leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 14(6), 693–727. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LEAQUA.2003.09.001
Ghasabeh, M. S., Soosay, C., & Reaiche, C. (2015). The Emerging Role of Transformational Leadership. The Journal of Developing Areas, 49(6), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1353/jda.2015.0090
Goleman, D. (2017). Leadership that gets results. Leadership Perspectives, 85–96. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315250601-9/LEADERSHIP-GETS-RESULTS-DANIEL-GOLEMAN
Hallinger, P., & Murphy, J. (1985). Assessing the Instructional Management Behavior of Principals. The Elementary School Journal, 86(2), 217–247. https://doi.org/10.1086/461445
M. Moradi Korejan, and H. S. (2018). Special issue. Special issue. Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, 4(1), 9–10.
Nazula, D., Ayu Agustin, Darsla Dyah Ayu Anggraeni, & Anwarul Muniroh. (2024). Peran Kepemimpinan Transformatif Ki Hajar Dewantara Dalam Pengembangan Madrasah Unggul: Sebuah Kajian Literatur. Excelencia: Journal of Islamic Education & Management, 4(01), 75–87. https://doi.org/10.21154/excelencia.v4i01.3051
Rahmatika, N. (2024). The Meaning of Sincerity in Transformational Leadership at The Islamic Boarding School Educational Institution. International Journal of Educational Management and Innovation, 5(2), 168–176. https://doi.org/10.12928/ijemi.v5i2.9656
Robbie, R. I., Saputra, A. R., & Afifah, Y. N. (2021). Acculturation Coalesce Between Islamic Leadership with Minangkabau Local Wisdom. KARSA Journal of Social and Islamic Culture, 29(1), 128–151. https://doi.org/10.19105/KARSA.V29I1.4293
Samad, S. (2012). The Influence of Innovation and Transformational Leadership on Organizational Performance. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 57, 486–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SBSPRO.2012.09.1215
Sariah, D., & Safwandy Nugraha, M. (2024). Inovasi Kepemimpinan Kepala Madrasah Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Kualitas Pendidikan di MTs Persis 37 Sumedang. Al-Ibanah, 9(2), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.54801/j2kxkj52
Schein, E. (2006). Syntax for GLOBE National Culture , Organizational Culture , and Leadership. Leadership, 2(2), 464.
Shala, B., Prebreza, A., & Ramosaj, B. (2021). The Contingency Theory of Management as a Factor of Acknowledging the Leaders-Managers of Our Time Study Case: The Practice of the Contingency Theory in the Company Avrios. OALib, 08(09), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107850
Spillane, J. P. (2005). Distributed Leadership. The Educational Forum, 69(2), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131720508984678
Suluh Phangesti, D., & Risalah, S. (2023). Kebijakan dan Kepemimpinan Transformatif di Madrasah Terhadap Isu Pendidikan Inklusif: Kajian Kebijakan Pendidikan, Konsep Dasar Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus (ABK), Kepemimpinan Transformatif Terhadap Isu Pendidikan Inklusi. Risâlah Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Studi Islam, 9(4), 1599–1608. https://doi.org/10.31943/JURNAL_RISALAH.V9I4.640
Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations.
Zainal, A. (2024). Memberdayakan Pendidik melalui Kepemimpinan Transformasional: Peran Kepala Madrasah dalam Meningkatkan Efektivitas Guru. FONDATIA, 8(4), 833–849. https://doi.org/10.36088/FONDATIA.V8I4.5479
Published
2026-02-20
How to Cite
Sriwahyuni, E., Usdarisman, U., & Fikrah, E. (2026). Transformational Leadership in Driving Change in Madrasahs: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Madrasah Principals. GHAITSA : Islamic Education Journal , 7(1), 175-185. https://doi.org/10.62159/ghaitsa.v7i1.2501
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2026 Eci Sriwahyuni, Usdarisman Usdarisman, Emi Fikrah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
