Strategi Kepemimpinan Transformasional dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas SMP Negeri 9 Palembang di Era Digital

Abstract

This study aims to describe transformational leadership strategies in
improving the quality of SMP Negeri 9 Palembang in the digital era.
Transformational leadership is an increasingly relevant approach because
it can drive fundamental organizational change through shared vision,
strong motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual attention to
school members. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach,
with data collected through interviews, observations, and documentation.
Informants in this study consisted of the principal, teachers, administrative
staff, and students. Data analysis was carried out through data reduction,
data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The research focus refers to
Bass and Avolio's transformational leadership theory, which encompasses
four dimensions: Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual
Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration. The results show that the
principal of SMP Negeri 9 Palembang has consistently implemented
transformational leadership through exemplary behavior, inspirational
motivation, encouragement of innovation, and individual attention to
teachers, staff, and students. The application of transformational
leadership has had a positive impact on improving school quality in the
digital era, as reflected in the increased digital competence of teachers,
effective technology-based administrative services, and student
achievements. Thus, transformational leadership plays an important role
in driving sustainable, innovative, and quality-oriented school change
amid the challenges of educational digitalization.