Agile Leadership by Madrasah Principals in Navigating Conflict, Building Commitment, and Managing Organizational Change in an Era of Educational Disruption

Nila Hanif Ulfiana; Siti Aimah

doi:10.58485/jie.v5i2.794

Authors

Nila Hanif Ulfiana Universitas KH. Mukhtar Syafaat, Indonesia
Siti Aimah Universitas KH. Mukhtar Syafaat, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58485/jie.v5i2.794

Keywords:

Agile leadership, organizational behavior, change management

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the agile leadership of madrasah principals in navigating conflict, building organizational commitment, and managing organizational change in an era of educational disruption characterized by technological advancements, policy changes, and the increasing complexity of stakeholder demands. This study employs a qualitative approach using a case study design that focuses on the leadership practices of madrasah principals in managing organizational behavior dynamics within the Islamic educational setting. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews with madrasah principals, teachers, educational staff, and madrasah administrators, supplemented by participatory observation and document analysis. Data analysis was conducted using an interactive model through the stages of data condensation, data presentation, verification, and drawing conclusions. To ensure data validity, this study applied triangulation of sources, methods, and theories. The results of the study indicate that the madrasah principal successfully applied the principles of agile leadership through adaptive decision-making, collaborative communication, human resource empowerment, and rapid responses to various internal and external organizational changes. This leadership proved effective in reducing conflicts among organizational members, strengthening collective work commitment, and fostering an organizational culture open to innovation and change. Furthermore, the madrasah principal serves as a facilitator of change who is able to align the institutional vision with the needs of the madrasah community, thereby creating a harmonious, productive work environment focused on improving the quality of education. The findings of this study confirm that agile leadership serves as a strategic asset in enhancing the adaptive capacity of Islamic educational organizations amid ongoing uncertainty and disruption. The contribution of this study is to offer a conceptual model of agile leadership for madrasah principals in managing organizational behavior and to enrich the body of knowledge in Islamic Educational Management, particularly regarding leadership strategies for building resilient, collaborative, and sustainable organizations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abishev, A. R., Abdullah, M., & Abdulghani, N. A. (2025). Five Challenges to Quranic Learning in Islamic Educational Institutions. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(3), 83–92. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/11

Ahmed, H. M. M., El-Sabagh, H. A., & Elbourhamy, D. M. (2025). Effect of Gamified, Mobile, Cloud-Based Learning Management System (GMCLMS) on student engagement and achievement. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00541-1

Ainissyifa, H., Nasrullah, Y. M., & Fatonah, N. (2024). Empowering Educational Autonomy To Implement Kurikulum Merdeka in Madrasah. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(1), 25–40. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v10i1.35133

Anidar, J., Nursyamsi, N. Diminurman, A., & Engkizar, E. (2026). Building religious character in students: a qualitative study of youth information and counseling centers. Jurnal Konseling Dan Pendidikan, 14(1), 194–204. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29210/1158400

Aravidou, K., Triantari, S., & Zervas, I. (2025). Sustainable Leadership and Conflict Management: Insights from Greece’s Public Sector. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(5), 2248. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052248

Bonini, A., Panari, C., Caricati, L., & Mariani, M. G. (2024). The relationship between leadership and adaptive performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 19(10 October), 304720. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304720

Charoensukmongkol, P., & Phungsoonthorn, T. (2020). The effectiveness of supervisor support in lessening perceived uncertainties and emotional exhaustion of university employees during the COVID-19 crisis: the constraining role of organizational intransigence. Journal of General Psychology, 148(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.2020.1795613

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.

Demmke, C., Autioniemi, J., & Lenner, F. (2025). The end of the world as we know it–public ethics in times of de-standardization and individualization. Public Management Review, 27(7), 1741–1763. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2021.2000221

Dewi, A. T. A., Uryatul Hikmah, Ida Kusumawati, Muthi’ah Rahman, & Umar Manshur. (2026). Madrasah Vision Management Strategy in Realizing Superior Educational Quality. EDUCARE: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 5(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.71392/ejip.v5i1.122

Djalilah, S. R., Muzakar, A., Suhardi, M., & Kartiko, A. (2024). Unveiling Success: Exploring the Impact of Training and Commitment on Madrasah Tsanawiyah Principal Performance. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), 458–474. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i2.4907

Dushkova, D., & Ivlieva, O. (2024). Empowering Communities to Act for a Change: A Review of the Community Empowerment Programs towards Sustainability and Resilience. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(19), 8700. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198700

Efendi, E., Jaafar, A., & Engkizar, E. (2026). Muslim Women’s Leadership in Conflict Management in Higher Education. Tadris: Jurnal Keguruan Dan Ilmu Tarbiyah, 11(2), 826–838. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24042/tadris.v11i2.30474

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Hamzah, M. I., Syafril, S., Febriani, A., Oktavia, G., & Satrial, A. (2026). Quran Teachers’ Skills as Pedagogical Foundations: Conceptual and Practical Insights into Nine Competencies. Muaddib: Journal of Islamic Teaching and Learning, 2(1), 22–38. https://doi.org/10.67055/xt598c43

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Hamzah, M. I., Syafril, S., Oktavia, G., Febriani, A., & Albizar, A. (2026). Tartil Method as an Effective Strategy for Transforming Students’ Positive Attitudes in Learning the Qur’an. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 2(1), 50–63. https://doi.org/10.67055/y3htyp95

Fernandes, V., Wong, W., & Noonan, M. (2023). Developing adaptability and agility in leadership amidst the COVID-19 crisis: experiences of early-career school principals. International Journal of Educational Management, 37(2), 483–506. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-02-2022-0076

García-Martínez, I., Montenegro-Rueda, M., Molina-Fernández, E., & Fernández-Batanero, J. M. (2021). Mapping teacher collaboration for school success. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 32(4), 631–649. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2021.1925700

Gkrimpizi, T., Peristeras, V., & Magnisalis, I. (2023). Classification of Barriers to Digital Transformation in Higher Education Institutions: Systematic Literature Review. Education Sciences, 13(7), 746. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13070746

González-Mohíno, M., Donate, M. J., Guadamillas, F., & Cabeza-Ramírez, L. J. (2024). Knowledge-oriented leadership for improved coordination as a solution to relationship conflict: effects on innovation capabilities. Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 22(4), 388–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2024.2306338

Guppy, N., Verpoorten, D., Boud, D., Lin, L., Tai, J., & Bartolic, S. (2022). The post-COVID-19 future of digital learning in higher education: Views from educators, students, and other professionals in six countries. British Journal of Educational Technology, 53(6), 1750–1765. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13212

Haddade, H., Nur, A., Achruh, A., Rasyid, M. N. A., & Ibrahim, A. (2024). Madrasah management strategies through Madrasah Reform program: an evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(5), 1289–1304. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-05-2023-0236

Hanafi, Y., Taufiq, A., Saefi, M., Ikhsan, M. A., Diyana, T. N., Thoriquttyas, T., & Anam, F. K. (2021). The new identity of Indonesian Islamic boarding schools in the “new normal”: the education leadership response to COVID-19. Heliyon, 7(3), 6549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06549

Harinurdin, E., Laksmono, B. S., Kusumastuti, R., & Safitri, K. A. (2025). Community Empowerment Utilizing Open Innovation as a Sustainable Village-Owned Enterprise Strategy in Indonesia: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(8), 3394. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083394

Kamalov, F., Santandreu Calonge, D., & Gurrib, I. (2023). New Era of Artificial Intelligence in Education: Towards a Sustainable Multifaceted Revolution. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(16), 12451. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612451

Karim, A., Fathurohman, O., Sulaiman, S., Marliani, L., Muhammadun, M., & Firmansyah, B. (2025). How do principals act as leaders and managers in boarding and public schools in Indonesia? Cogent Education, 12(1), 2445354. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2445354

Lippman, S. A., Sevelius, J. M., Saggese, G. S. R., Gilmore, H., Bassichetto, K. C., de Barros, D. D., de Oliveira, R. B., Maschião, L. F., Chen, D., & de Sousa Mascena Veras, M. A. (2022). Peer Navigation to Support Transgender Women’s Engagement in HIV Care: Findings from the Trans Amigas Pilot Trial in São Paulo, Brazil. AIDS and Behavior, 26(8), 2588–2599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03595-8

Mahmud, M. E., & Ramli, A. (2025). Islamic Spiritual Leadership Model to Enhance Madrasah Quality Culture and Achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(3), 628–643. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i3.132

Marienfeldt, J. (2024). Does digital government hollow out the essence of street-level bureaucracy? A systematic literature review of how digital tools’ foster curtailment, enablement and continuation of street-level decision-making. Social Policy and Administration, 58(5), 831–855. https://doi.org/10.1111/spol.12991

Masry-Herzalah, A., & Dor-Haim, P. (2022). Teachers’ technological competence and success in online teaching during the COVID-19 crisis: the moderating role of resistance to change. International Journal of Educational Management, 36(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-03-2021-0086

McKimm, J., Ramani, S., Forrest, K., Bishop, J., Findyartini, A., Mills, C., Hassanien, M., Al-Hayani, A., Jones, P., Nadarajah, V. D., & Radu, G. (2023). Adaptive leadership during challenging times: Effective strategies for health professions educators: AMEE Guide No. 148. Medical Teacher, 45(2), 128–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2022.2057288

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., Saldana, J., & Rohidi, T. R. (2019). F. In Analisis Data. Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Di Sekolah (p. 61).

Mu’alimin, M., Muhith, A. M., & Hepni, H. (2026). School principals’ and teachers’ perspectives on school quality management in Islamic schools: insights from Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Management, 40(4), 727–741. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-05-2025-0387

Muhlasin, M., Silawati, S., Syaifuddin, M., Engkizar, E., Nurjanis, N., Sabrina, R., & Jaafar, A. (2026). Negotiating Tradition and Modernity in the Management of Student Care at Islamic Boarding Schools. EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan, 24(2), 259–273.

Perides, M. P. N., & Vasconcellos, L. (2025). Organizational Changes in Adopting Agile Approaches: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science , 61(1), 91–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863241229704

Rahmi, S., Ismail, F., Umar, M., & Jannana, N. S. (2025). Humanistic Leadership of School Principals in Promoting Effective Collaboration through Problem-Solving in Madrasah Aliyah. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(2), 336–348. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i2.202

Rofiqi, Zainiyati, H. S., Niam, K., Kusaeri, & Zuhri, A. M. (2026). Educational Leadership Transformation in Traditional Settings: Policy Adaptation and Distributed Authority in Indonesian Pesantren. In Leadership and Policy in Schools (pp. 1–19). https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2025.2608041

Rohim, S., Surip, M., Lubis, M. J., & Fardian Gafari, M. O. (2023). Leadership contribution and organizational commitment on the work achievement of the school principals and teachers in high schools in Medan. Cogent Education, 10(2), 2239595. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2239595

Siswadi, Asdlori, & Masruri, M. (2025). Faith-Based Transformational Leadership in the Digital Age: A Case Study of Social Media-Driven Educational Fundraising for Orphans in Indonesia. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(1), 246–265. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v9i1.221

Supriharyanti, E., & Sukoco, B. M. (2023). Organizational change capability: a systematic review and future research directions. Management Research Review, 46(1), 46–81. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-01-2021-0039

Thoha, A. F. K., Mayudi, G., Handriana, T., Qisom, S., & Ekowati, D. (2025). Ethical leadership in religious institutions: fostering social cohesion in a multicusltural Indonesian community. International Journal of Ethics and Systems. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-11-2024-0368

Ul Hassan, M., Murtaza, A., & Rashid, K. (2025). Redefining Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Era of Globalisation and Global Crises: A Proposal for Future Sustainability. European Journal of Education, 60(1), 12822. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12822

van Assche, K., Valentinov, V., & Verschraegen, G. (2022). Adaptive governance: learning from what organizations do and managing the role they play. Kybernetes, 51(5), 1738–1758. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-11-2020-0759

Van Waeyenberg, T., Peccei, R., & Decramer, A. (2022). Performance management and teacher performance: the role of affective organizational commitment and exhaustion. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(4), 623–646. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2020.1754881

Wardi, M., Fithriyyah, M. U., Fathorrahman, Z., Hidayat, T., Ismail, & Supandi. (2023). Implementation of Religious Moderation Values Through Strengthening Diversity Tolerance in Madrasah. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 241–254. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v9i2.27952

Xu, Y., & Zhang, M. (2022). The Study of the Impact of Empowering Leadership on Adaptive Performance of Faculties Based on Chain Mediating. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 938951. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.938951

Yeo, R. K. (2021). Know thyself: Leading through the core of you in times of turbulence. Organizational Dynamics, 50(4), 100800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2020.100800

Zakariyah. (2024). Improving Madrasah Competitiveness Through Excellent Islamic Education Development Strategies. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(1), 140–155. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i1.4541