Agile Leadership: Making Schools More Adaptive and Responsive

Edy Rakhmadi, Arin Ika Puspitaningsih, Rody Putra Sartika

Abstract


The dynamic nature of education requires school leaders to adopt more flexible and adaptive management strategies. Agile Leadership has emerged as a promising approach that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and rapid responsiveness to change. This study explores the implementation of Agile Leadership in SMAN 1 Pamukan Utara, a “Sekolah Penggerak” in South Kalimantan, through a qualitative case study. Data were collected via in-depth interviews, direct observations, and document analysis, then analyzed using Miles and Huberman's qualitative data analysis model, which includes data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. The analysis process was supported by NVivo software to facilitate coding, categorization, and pattern identification. Findings reveal that Agile Leadership enhances decision- making flexibility, strengthens stakeholder collaboration, and fosters curriculum innovation. The principal plays a crucial role in facilitating an adaptive culture, empowering teachers, and promoting continuous learning. Moreover, Agile principles, such as iterative planning and digital technology integration, contribute to increased efficiency in school management. The study highlights the importance of professional development for school leaders and policy support from educational stakeholders to ensure successful Agile Leadership implementation. The findings provide practical insights for school leaders in navigating educational transformations. Future research should examine Agile Leadership in various school contexts to further validate its impact.

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References


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