Collectivism-Based Servant Leadership in Indonesian Schools: A Qualitative Case Study of Humanistic Principal Leadership

Authors

  • Ajeng Nandarah Falenciah State University of Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Ainur Rifqi State University of Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Kaniati Amalia State University of Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Amrozi Khamidi State University of Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Agustin Hanivia Cindy Walisongo State Islamic University Semarang, Indonesia
  • Ruguang Zhou Jiangsu Normal University, China
  • Hamdan Said University of Technology Malaysia, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21009/improvement.v13i1.67663

Keywords:

Collectivism-based servant leadership, Humanistic Work Environment, KPBK Model, Principal Leadership, School Reform

Abstract

Rigid bureaucratic cultures in schools may weaken teachers’ professional agency and emotional well-being. This study examines how servant leadership practiced by a school principal contributes to a humanistic work environment in an Indonesian junior secondary school. Using a descriptive qualitative design, the study was conducted at SMP Negeri 3 Waru Sidoarjo, East Java, from July to December 2025. Data were collected through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation involving 12 participants: one principal, one vice-principal, and ten senior teachers. The data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The findings show that active listening, humility, emotional support, and participatory problem-solving helped reduce hierarchical distance, strengthen teachers perceived psychological safety, and encourage more open communication in responding to administrative and curriculum-related challenges. This study proposes the Collectivism-Based Servant Leadership Model, or KPBK, by integrating servant leadership with gotong royong, musyawarah, and Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha. It also identifies Double-Loop Empowerment as a qualitative mechanism linking principal support, teacher empowerment, and humanistic teacher-student interaction. The findings suggest that school reform requires not only policy mandates and technical training, but also humanistic human resource governance.

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Published

2026-06-10

How to Cite

Falenciah, A. N., Rifqi, A., Amalia, K., Khamidi, A., Agustin Hanivia Cindy, Zhou, R., & Said, H. (2026). Collectivism-Based Servant Leadership in Indonesian Schools: A Qualitative Case Study of Humanistic Principal Leadership. Improvement: Jurnal Ilmiah Untuk Peningkatan Mutu Manajemen Pendidikan, 13(1), 36–47. https://doi.org/10.21009/improvement.v13i1.67663

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026): Improvement: Jurnal Ilmiah Untuk Peningkatan Mutu Manajemen Pendidikan

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Ajeng Nandarah Falenciah, Ainur Rifqi, Kaniati Amalia, Amrozi Khamidi, Agustin Hanivia Cindy, Ruguang Zhou, Hamdan Said

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