THE ART OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: A SYNTHESIS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S MODEL, THE COMBAT MODEL, AND MANUNGGALING KAWULA GUSTI

Global challenges and the growing complexity of national education issues demand leaders who are not only managerially competent but also possess moral integrity, strategic resilience, and a humanistic orientation. This article seeks to propose a synthesized model of educational leadership that integrates Islamic spiritual values, modern strategic approaches, and Javanese local wisdom. This study employs a library research method with a qualitative–descriptive approach. The data were analyzed using content analysis and comparative techniques applied to primary and secondary sources concerning the Leadership Model of Prophet Muhammad SAW, Cohen’s Combat Model, and the Javanese philosophy of Manunggaling Kawula Gusti. The study results in a holistic synthesis of educational leadership. The Prophet Muhammad SAW Model provides the foundation for character and ethics. The Combat Model offers a strategic and action-oriented framework, while the Manunggaling Kawula Gusti philosophy serves as the spiritual essence that nurtures harmony and collegiality. Together, these three models form an ideal educational leader—one who possesses the heart of the Prophet (noble in character), the mind of Combat (strategic and innovative), and the soul of Manunggaling (humanistic and harmonious). The synthesis of these models offers a fresh and contextualized perspective on educational leadership development in Indonesia. It is recommended that school principal training programs incorporate these three dimensions in a balanced manner to cultivate leaders who are not only operationally effective but also transformative and grounded in character.