Inspirational messages to next-generation principals on enacting transformative ethical leadership in schools

Ethical leadership is increasingly vital in today’s complex world, advancing credibility, trust, reputation, and workplace morale. Yet, it remains uncertain, with no definitive rules guiding principals’ enactment. This paper explores challenges and opportunities for next-generation principals, offering transformative insights to inspire them as agents of ethical leadership in schools, equipping them with innovative ideas to navigate contemporary uncertainties and uphold morally acceptable conduct in educational leadership. Although we approached five schools, seven staff members from three schools agreed to participate in this study. Having employed ethical leadership theory and through thematic analysis, this paper obtained participants’ understanding of ethical leadership, perceptions about transformative ethical leadership (TEL), and inspirational messages for next-generation principals on enacting transformative ethical leadership in schools. The findings, derived from the participants’ messages, indicated that next-generation principals should engage in constant moral learning, apply ethical leadership as a moral influence, and that ethical leaders must be loyal individuals dedicated to ensuring care and justice in schools. The paper recommends that consideration of these messages can assist next-generation principals in appreciating the beauty of ethical leadership in schools. The implications of these inspirational messages suggest that next-generation principals should regularly keep reflective journals regarding their ethical practices, conduct ethics dialogues with other principals, and ensure that school policies are regularly revised and implemented thoroughly. Furthermore, the implication of this study for the literature is that more research should be conducted to explore TEL and its implications for the enactment of ethical leadership in schools.