KEPEMIMPINAN TRANSFORMASIONAL KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM PENGUATAN KINERJA GURU: STUDI KASUS GANDA DI SMA

School leadership contributes to organizational conditions that support teachers in performing their professional responsibilities. However, the implementation of transformational leadership may vary according to the institutional characteristics and conditions of individual schools. This study aimed to analyze the implementation of principals’ transformational leadership in relation to strengthening teacher performance and to identify its constraints and corresponding responses at SMA Mathlaul Anwar Margahayu and SMA Muhammadiyah 4 Margahayu, Bandung Regency. A qualitative multiple-case study design was employed. Six informants, comprising two principals and four teachers, were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations, and document analysis and were examined using within-case and cross-case analyses. The findings indicate that idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration were implemented differently across the two schools. These practices were associated with stronger trust, motivation, professional engagement, openness to instructional innovation, and collaborative problem-solving among teachers. Their implementation was constrained by administrative workload, limited facilities, and varying levels of teacher readiness. The findings suggest that transformational leadership should be implemented adaptively by considering institutional conditions and teachers’ professional needs. ABSTRAK Kepemimpinan kepala sekolah berperan dalam membentuk kondisi organisasi yang mendukung pelaksanaan tugas profesional guru. Namun, penerapan kepemimpinan transformasional dapat berbeda sesuai dengan karakteristik dan kondisi kelembagaan sekolah. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis implementasi kepemimpinan transformasional kepala sekolah dalam kaitannya dengan penguatan kinerja guru, serta mengidentifikasi kendala dan upaya penanganannya pada SMA Mathlaul Anwar Margahayu dan SMA Muhammadiyah 4 Margahayu, Kabupaten Bandung. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus ganda. Enam informan yang terdiri atas dua kepala sekolah dan empat guru dipilih secara purposif. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur, observasi nonpartisipatif, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis melalui analisis dalam kasus dan lintas kasus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa idealisasi pengaruh, motivasi inspiratif, stimulasi intelektual, dan pertimbangan individual diterapkan dengan pola yang berbeda pada kedua sekolah. Praktik tersebut berkaitan dengan penguatan kepercayaan, motivasi, keterlibatan profesional, keterbukaan terhadap inovasi, dan pemecahan masalah guru. Implementasinya menghadapi kendala berupa beban administratif, keterbatasan sarana, dan perbedaan kesiapan guru. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa kepemimpinan transformasional perlu diterapkan secara adaptif dengan mempertimbangkan kondisi kelembagaan dan kebutuhan profesional guru.