Servant Leadership in Religious Boarding Schools Leaders: A Case Study

The role of a boarding school leader is complex as they serve as managers, educators, administrators, entrepreneurs, as well as substitute parental figures. The servant leader is one of the leadership styles that is considered appropriate in fulfilling the complexity of the role .This study aims to describe the uniqueness of applying servant leadership among religious-based boarding school leaders. An explanatory single-case study design was chosen, with data collected through directed group discussions and in-depth interviews. Data analysis followed the thematic analysis stages proposed by Braun & Clarke (2006). The research participants consisted of three individuals, including one principal, one vice principal, and one dormitory head, all of whom had more than three years of experience and were local residents (Mean Age = 32, Female = 0.33%, Male = 0.67%). Thematic analysis yielded the following results regarding the implementation of servant leadership in religious-based boarding schools: (1) Characteristics of Servant Leadership, (2) Driving Factors, (3) Implementation Methods, (4) Impact of Implementation, and (5) Implementation Challenges. The complexity of implementing servant leadership among servant leaders demonstrates significant outcomes for the development of the school community, including students, teachers, staff, and parents. The findings from the results of this study provide information that encourages future research related to the application of servant leadership in the world of education as a supporting factor for achieving educational goals and developing the role of a leader in fulfilling the complexity of their tasks.