Ethical Leadership Strategies of School Principals: Fostering a Harmonious and Productive Teacher Work Environment

Yunita Sari; Slamet Lestari

doi:10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6090

Ethical Leadership Strategies of School Principals: Fostering a Harmonious and Productive Teacher Work Environment

Yunita Sari, Slamet Lestari

Abstract

A harmonious work environment is essential in educational institutions, and ethical leadership plays a crucial role in fostering such an atmosphere. This study analyzes the ethical leadership strategies employed by a principal to promote a positive work environment in an Islamic school in East Lombok. This qualitative study used a case study approach. Data were collected through interviews with the principal and teachers, as well as documentation analysis. The data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods to identify key ethical leadership strategies. The findings reveal three primary ethical leadership strategies implemented by the principal: (1) serving as a role model through ethical behavior, (2) effectively managing ethical conflicts within the school, and (3) fostering the development of positive character among staff and students. These strategies contributed to creating a supportive and ethical work environment. The study highlights the importance of ethical leadership in educational settings, emphasizing the principal's role in maintaining professional integrity and encouraging moral behavior. However, the study is limited in scope, as it does not explore other potential factors influencing a positive work environment. Ethical leadership is essential in shaping a positive school culture. Future research should expand to public schools and broader geographical areas to gain a more comprehensive understanding of ethical leadership practices in different educational contexts.

Keywords

strategy; ethical leadership; teacher work; harmonious environment

Full Text:

PDF

References

Alan, H., Gül, D., & Baykal, Ü. (2022). The relationship between the conflict management strategies and ethical leadership behaviours of nurse managers perceived by nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(7), 2370–2378.

Alwis, D. A. Y., & Hendriani, S. (2024). Pengaruh Etika Kepemimpinan Terhadap Kinerja Guru di MAN 2 Sijunjung. Indo-Fintech Intellectuals: Journal of Economics and Business, 4(3), 947–954.

Anggorowati, R., Komariah, A., Permana, J., Nurdin, D., & Prihatin, E. (2021). Peran Komunikasi Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Dalam Membangun Relasi Educational Leadership Communication’s Role In Relationship Building. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, 21(3), 9–16.

Ariyanti, N., & Prasetyo, M. A. M. (2021). Evaluasi manajemen hubungan masyarakat dan sekolah (studi kasus di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Miftahul Falah Purwodadi Pasuruan). Idarah: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kependidikan, 5(2), 103–126.

Baharun, H. (2017). Total moral quality: a new approach for character education in pesantren. Ulumuna, 21(1), 57–80.

Banks, G. C., Fischer, T., Gooty, J., & Stock, G. (2021). Ethical leadership: Mapping the terrain for concept cleanup and a future research agenda. The Leadership Quarterly, 32(2), 101471.

Bens, I. (2017). Facilitating with Ease!: core skills for facilitators, team leaders and members, managers, consultants, and trainers. John Wiley & Sons.

Burhanudin, B. (2020). DIMENSI MORAL DAN ETIS KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH. Jurnal Pendidikan Guru, 1(1).

Cahyaningrum, W., Sirri, E., & Putris, R. (2023). EDUKASI PERAN PERILAKU ETIS DALAM KEPEMIMPINAN YANG BERKELANJUTAN. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Paguntaka, 1(2), 31–38.

Chowdhury, M. (2018). Emphasizing morals, values, ethics, and character education in science education and science teaching. MOJES: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 4(2), 1–16.

Crews, J. (2015). What is an ethical leader?: The characteristics of ethical leadership from the perceptions held by Australian senior executives. Journal of Business and Management, 21(1), 29–58.

Cui, L. (2022). The role of teacher–student relationships in predicting teachers’ occupational wellbeing, emotional exhaustion, and enthusiasm. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 896813.

Davidson, F. D., & Hughes, T. R. (2020). Moral dimensions of leadership. FD Davidson & TR Hughes, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Oxford University Press. Https://Doi. Org/10.1093/Acrefore/9780190264093.013, 785.

Devi, I., Sesmiarni, Z., Syafitri, A., Simbolon, A. M. Y., & Iswantir, I. (2023). Upaya Kepala Sekolah Dalam Meningkatkan Produktivitas Kerja Guru Di Mtss Tigo Nagari, Kabupaten Pasaman. Innovative: Journal Of Social Science Research, 3(2), 14422–14433.

Eranil, A. K., & Özbilen, F. M. (2017). Relationship between School Principals’ Ethical Leadership Behaviours and Positive Climate Practices. Journal of Education and Learning, 6(4), 100–112.

Farida, I., & Kamalia, A. A. (2020). Konsep Manajemen Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Membentuk Akhlakul Karimah Di Mts Ma’arif Nu Kemiri. MANAGERE: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 2(1), 9–19.

Freire, C., & Bettencourt, C. (2020). Impact of ethical leadership on job satisfaction: the mediating effect of work–family conflict. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 41(2), 319–330.

Gok, K., Sumanth, J. J., Bommer, W. H., Demirtas, O., Arslan, A., Eberhard, J., … Yigit, A. (2017). You may not reap what you sow: How employees’ moral awareness minimizes ethical leadership’s positive impact on workplace deviance. Journal of Business Ethics, 146, 257–277.

Hatch, J. A. (2023). Doing qualitative research in education settings. State university of New York press.

Ikhwan, M. S., & Rabbani, S. A. (2024). Principal Supervision Strategies in Improving Teacher Professionalism. Pedagogia: Jurnal Pendidikan, 13(2), 211–215.

Jay, A., & Hilton, M. (2024). Conflict Resolution Through Ethical Leadership and Legal Frameworks in Global Organizations. Comprehensive Approaches to Conflict Resolution, 109.

Kalu, M. E. (2019). Using emphasis-purposeful sampling-phenomenon of interest–context (EPPiC) framework to reflect on two qualitative research designs and questions: A reflective process. The Qualitative Report, 24(10), 2524–2535.

Khan, S. R., Bauman, D. C., & Javed, U. (2020). A study on the effect of ethical leadership on teachers’ moral motivation at schools in Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Management, 34(6), 965–985.

Khana, M. A., Zainudin, A., Fanani, A. I., & Mirochina, C. (2023). Strategi Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja dan Kedisiplinan Guru di SD Juara Kota Bandung. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 9(25), 595–612.

Konak, M., & Erdem, M. (2015). According to the teachers’ opinions the relationship between the ethical leadership behaviors of the elementary school principals and their conflict management strategies. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 21(1), 69–91.

Kurniawaty, I., & Faiz, A. (2022). Konsep Dilema Etika dalam Pengambilan Keputusan: Tinjauan Pustaka dalam Modul Guru Penggerak. Jurnal Basicedu, 6(3), 4862–4868.

Lestari, S., Saefurridjal, A., Gustami, B. A., & Gumelar, N. D. Y. (2023). Moralitas Kepala Sekolah Dalam Progresifitas Lembaga Pendidikan. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Konseling (JPDK), 5(1), 5427–5434.

Lichtman, M. (2023). Qualitative research in education: A user’s guide. Routledge.

Llewellyn, G., Sullivan, G., & Minichiello, V. (2004). Sampling in qualitative research. In Handbook of research methods for nursing and health science. Pearson Education Australia.

Mailool, J., Kartowagiran, B., Retnowati, T. H., Wening, S., & Putranta, H. (2020). The Effects of Principal’s Decision-Making, Organizational Commitment and School Climate on Teacher Performance in Vocational High School Based on Teacher Perceptions. European Journal of Educational Research, 9(4), 1675–1687.

Muaddab, H., & Nafisah, K. (2023). KEPEMIMPINAN MORAL DALAM PERPEKTIF THE MODEL FOR INTERPERSONAL TEACHER BEHAVIOR. Jurnal Mediasosian: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Administrasi Negara, 7(1), 162–182.

Muhtadi, M. A., Murthada, M., & Bunyamin, I. A. (2023). Pengaruh Kepuasan Kerja Guru dan Kebijakan Sekolah terhadap Peningkatan Efektivitas Manajemen Pendidikan di Sekolah Menengah Pertama di Jawa Tengah. Jurnal Pendidikan West Science, 1(11), 681–691.

Mukhlasin, A. (2021). Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Kunci Keberhasilan dalam Pencapaian Kualitas Pendidikan. Journal Of Administration and Educational Management (ALIGNMENT), 4(2), 193–199.

Mulyasa, H. E. (2022). Manajemen dan kepemimpinan kepala sekolah. Bumi Aksara.

Muslim, K., Aziz, N., Nurahmayanti, A., & Hidayat, Y. (2024). Kepemimpinan Berbasis Nilai-Nilai Islami dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Pendidikan Agama Islam di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Manajemen Dan Pendidikan Agama Islam, 2(4), 416–423.

Muspawi, M., & Nadila Putri, L. R. (2023). Upaya Kepala Sekolah Dalam Mengendalikan Stress Kerja Guru Di Sd Negeri 219/Ix Muaro Jambi. Jurnal Kepemimpinan Dan Pengurusan Sekolah, 8(4), 2023.

Na’im, Z. (2022). Etika Kepemimpinan Dalam Perspektif Islam Dan Korelasinya Terhadap Kinerja. Evaluasi: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 6(1), 195–210.

Nasser, D. (2020). Blended learning instruction and classroom engagement in community college: a qualitative research study. Capella University.

Nurhasanah, D., Hayadi, B. H., Yusuf, F. A., Silawati, Y., & Kusuma, D. (2024). Kepemimpinan dan Etika dalam Administrasi Pendidikan: Menggagas Kualitas Pendidikan yang Beretika. Technical and Vocational Education International Journal (TAVEIJ), 4(1), 283–288.

Pianda, D. (2018). Kinerja guru: kompetensi guru, motivasi kerja dan kepemimpinan kepala sekolah. CV Jejak (Jejak Publisher).

Rahman, A., & Zaenuri, L. (2023). Kepemimpinan Etis Pada Institusi Pendidikan. Jurnal Ilmiah Administrasi Pemerintahan Daerah, 15(2), 265–283.

Rahmat, A., & Seswandi, A. (2023). Ethical Leadership Cultivates Innovative Work Behaviors In Employees Work Engagement. JURNAL KOMUNITAS SAINS MANAJEMEN, 2(3), 151–162.

Ritonga, N. A. (2020). Peran Kepala Sekolah dalam Menciptakan Iklim Kerja yang Kondusif di SD IT Ummi Aida Medan. Continuous Education: Journal of Science and Research, 1(1), 43–55.

Rofiq, C. (2019). Kepemimpinan transformasional dalam lembaga pendidikan madrasah. Jurnal Penelitian Agama, 20(2), 203–226.

Roscoe, M. J. C. (2022). Emergency Nurses’ Teamwork during Resuscitation: A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Grand Canyon University.

Sagnak, M. (2017). Ethical Leadership and Teachers’ Voice Behavior: The Mediating Roles of Ethical Culture and Psychological Safety. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 17(4), 1101–1117.

Singh, B. (2019). Character education in the 21st century. Journal of Social Studies (JSS), 15(1), 1–12.

Smith, E. E. (2014). Ethical leadership: A South African financial sector perspective. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Research (IJBMER), 5(5), 80–90.

Suhifatullah, M. I., Thoyib, M., & Dahlan, J. A. (2020). Kepemimpinan etis guru dalam pendidikan karakter. Kelola: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 7(1), 14–24.

Sukataman, S., Soodiqoh, M., & Falaakhuddin, M. H. (2023). Teori Pendekatan dan Model Kepemimpinan dalam Lembaga Pendidikan. Cakrawala Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam Dan Studi Sosial, 7(1), 89–104.

Supriadi, D., Usman, H., & Jabar, C. (2021). Good School Governance: An Approach to Principal’s Decision-Making Quality in Indonesian Vocational School. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 6(4), 796–831.

Syarifuddin, S. (2020). Analisis Kepemimpinan Transformasional Dan Disiplin Kerja Kepala Sekolah Terhadap Kepuasan Kerja Dan Peningkatan Kinerja Guru Di Smpn 2 Pajo Dompu. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Dan Ilmu Sosial, 1(2), 663–686.

Truong, T. D., & Hallinger, P. (2017). Exploring cultural context and school leadership: conceptualizing an indigenous model of có uy school leadership in Vietnam. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 20(5), 539–561.

Uy, F., Kilag, O. K., Calledo, M. F., Cerna, Y. Dela, Angtud, N. A., & Villanueva, K. (2024). Quality Performance of Teachers: Work Environment, Work Attitude, and Principal Supervision: Qualitative Investigation. International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research for Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (IMJRISE), 1(1), 101–109.

Wells, J. E., & Walker, N. A. (2016). Organizational change and justice: The impact of transparent and ethical leaders. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 9(2), 179–199.

Wong, A., Wang, X., Wang, X., & Tjosvold, D. (2020). Ethical leaders manage conflict to develop trust. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 41(1), 133–146.

Wulandari, Y., & Kristiawan, M. (2017). Strategi sekolah dalam penguatan pendidikan karakter bagi siswa dengan memaksimalkan peran orang tua. JMKSP (Jurnal Manajemen, Kepemimpinan, Dan Supervisi Pendidikan), 2(2), 290–302.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6090