Improving teacher performance through strengthening transformational leadership, pedagogical competence, and work ethic: a systematic literature review

Jurnal Konseling dan Pendidikan July 16, 2026 Volume 14, Number 2 4 authors

Abstract

This study systematically synthesized empirical evidence to examine the contribution of these factors to teacher performance. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) following the PRISMA 2020 reporting guideline was conducted using peer-reviewed empirical studies retrieved from Google Scholar through Publish or Perish. After screening, eligibility assessment, and quality appraisal, 17 studies published between 2020 and 2026 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The findings indicate that most reviewed studies identified transformational leadership as the strongest organizational determinant of teacher performance by enhancing teacher motivation, organizational commitment, instructional innovation, and supportive school environments. Pedagogical competence improved instructional effectiveness through better lesson planning, classroom management, assessment, and student-centered learning, while work ethic strengthened teachers' professional responsibility, discipline, commitment, and instructional consistency. Overall, the synthesized evidence suggests that sustainable improvement in teacher performance requires integrated educational management strategies combining transformational leadership, continuous professional development, and supportive organizational cultures. These findings provide practical implications for school leaders and educational policymakers seeking to improve teacher performance and educational quality.

Authors

  1. Happy Gustin

    Doctoral Student in Education Department of Postgraduate Faculty, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI

  2. Merry Lapasau

    Indonesian Language Education Department, Postgraduate Faculty, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI

  3. Widodo Widodo

    Education Department of Postgraduate Faculty, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI

  4. Supardi Uki Sajiman

    Education Department of Postgraduate Faculty, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI

Keywords

Transformational LeadershipPedagogical CompetenceWork EthicTeacher PerformanceSystematic Literature Review

References

  1. Aji, S. R., Haryaka, U., Mulawarman, W. G., Azainil, H., & Akhmad. (2026). From vision to classroom: How transformational leadership management drives teacher performance in Indonesia's frontier schools. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 5(2), 3695–3705. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v5i2.3803
  2. Amna, N., & Syahputra, Y. (2022). Conditions of Work Motivation and Teacher Performance at Madrasah Tsanawiyah in North Sumatra. JPP (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran), 29(2), 56–61. https://doi.org/10.17977/um047v29i22022p056
  3. Asih, S., Kadarsah, D., Nurdin, N., & Khofifah, J. M. (2026). Optimizing Learning Communities through a Systematic Literature Review: A Conceptual MOKBA Model for Enhancing Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence. Edunesia : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 7(2), 1461–1479. https://edunesia.org/edu/article/view/1679/722
  4. Astuti, A. Y., Egar, N., & Abdullah, G. (2025). The Influence of Transformational Leadership, School Culture, and Job Satisfaction on Teacher Performance in Public Elementary Schools of Temanggung District. Sosioedukasi : Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Sosial, 14(3), 1672–1679. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i3.6085
  5. Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational leadership (2nd ed.). Psychology Press.
  6. Bektiarso, S. (2024). The effect of the principal’s transformational leadership and school organisational culture on the performance of junior high school teachers with work ethic as a moderating variable. International Journal of Management in Education, 18(6), 595–614. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMIE.2024.141768
  7. Darling-Hammond, L., Flook, L., Cook-Harvey, C., Barron, B., & Osher, D. (2020). Implications for educational practice of the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 24(2), 97–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1537791
  8. Fathonah, S., Khoiri, N., & Kusumaningsih, W. (2026). The synergistic effect of transformational leadership and work motivation on teacher performance in rural elementary schools. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 5(2), 3414–3426. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v5i2.3761
  9. Fathya, L., & Nio, S. R. (2026). The influence of transformational leadership style on teacher performance in coping with high workloads at SMAN 1 Payakumbuh. Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences, 4(2), 3010–3023. https://doi.org/10.58578/mikailalsys.v4i2.11001
  10. Firmansyah, A., & Lavignes, K. A. (2026). Principal Leadership in Improving Teacher Performance: A Systematic Literature Review. Jurnal Publikasi Pendidikan, 16(1), 214–221. https://ojs.unm.ac.id/pubpend/article/view/81944/pdf
  11. Firmansyah, F., Prasojo, L. D., Jaedun, A., & Retnawati, H. (2022). Transformational leadership effect on teacher performance in Asia: A meta-analysis. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 17(6), 2127–2146. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v17i6.7552
  12. Furqoni, D., Nurdin, D., & Nurdin, N. (2026). Principals’ Transformational Leadership and Its Role in Shaping Teachers’ Differentiated Instruction and Student Achievement: A Systematic Literature Review. JMSP (Jurnal Manajemen Dan Supervisi Pendidikan), 10(2), 158–175. https://doi.org/10.17977/um025v10i22026158
  13. Handayani, N., Ismail, Rasyid, S., & Gul, R. S. (2025). Stakeholder based transformational leadership model for improving teacher performance in elementary schools. Journal of Educational Research and Evaluation, 9(4), 724–734. https://doi.org/10.23887/jere.v9i4.107557
  14. Maulida, R. S., Zohriah, A., Hilmiyati, F., Itang, & Nadhirah, Y. F. (2026). The influence of principal transformational leadership on teacher performance through organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Paedagoria, 17(2), 367–376.
  15. Melsing, C., Ahmad, S., & Indrawati, S. W. (2026). The Effect of Transformational Leadership and Work Motivation on Teacher Performance in Junior High Schools Sungai Lilin District. JMKSP (Jurnal Manajemen, Kepemimpinan, Dan Supervisi Pendidikan), 11(2), 152–167. https://doi.org/10.11594/jk6em.02.04.09
  16. Mu’imamah, R. S. P., & Setiadi, B. R. (2026). Transformational Leadership to Improve Teacher Performance in Vocational Education: A Systematic Review. Journal of Education Method and Learning Strategy, 4(01), 91–100. https://doi.org/10.59653/jemls.v4i01.2088
  17. Nantiyem, Soegeng Ysh, A. Y., & Bunyamin. (2024). The influence of transformational leadership of school principals, teacher compensation, and school organizational climate on kindergarten teachers' performance. IQRO: Journal of Islamic Education, 7(2), 415–428.
  18. Nizam, Z., Rahman, R., & Wei, S. (2025). The influence of principal transformational leadership on teacher performance. International Journal of Educational Narrative, 3(3), 154–165. https://doi.org/10.70177/ijen.v3i3.2154
  19. Nurbaeti, Suharto, N., & Suryana, A. (2026). The influence of principal transformational leadership and work climate on primary school teacher performance. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 5(1), 383–393. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i1.3116
  20. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
  21. Rahman, A., Sulindawati, N. L. G. E., & Werang, B. R. (2026). The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership, Work Motivation, School Culture, and Work Ethic with the Performance. Journal of Educational Research and Evaluation, 10(1), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.23887/jere.v10i1.111926
  22. Roesminingsih, E., & Windasari, W. (2025). The impact of transformational leadership on teacher performance: A study of professional learning communities in Indonesia. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 9(3), 312–326. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202530146
  23. Sholihin, A. (2026). The Role Of Transformational Leadership Of Madrasah Principals In Strengthening Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence: A Literature Review. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Dan Bisnis, 5(1), 65–75. https://doi.org/10.15575/jb.v5i1.55809
  24. Sianipar, A., & Putri, A. Y. (2024). How Transformational Leadership Enhancing School’s Performance: a Systematic Literature Review. IJOSMAS: International Journal of Social and Management Studies, 5(6), 36–48. https://www.ijosmas.org/index.php/ijosmas/article/view/453/325
  25. Solihun, S., & Wiyani, N. A. (2025). Transformational Leadership in Educational Management: A Systematic Literature Review on Its Impact on Teacher Performance and School Quality. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 6(1), 61–72. https://ejournal.unuja.ac.id/index.php/jumpa/article/view/14916/pdf
  26. Sun, H., Tang, H. W. V, & Zhu, X. (2025). The Relationship between Transformational Leadership, Teachers’ organizational commitment, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: An Integrated Investigation Using Meta-analysis and Structural Equation Modeling. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 46, 9682–9697. https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2025.46.4.29
  27. Sun, H., Tang, H. W. V, & Zhu, X. (2025). The Relationship between Transformational Leadership, Teachers’ organizational commitment, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: An Integrated Investigation Using Meta-analysis and Structural Equation Modeling. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 46, 9682–9697. https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2025.46.4.29
  28. Sungkar, R. A., Tuala, R. P., & Sunarto, S. (2026). The Influence of Organizational Culture on Teachers’ Work Ethic in Senior High School. El-Idare: Journal of Islamic Education Management, 12(1), 239–248. https://jurnal.radenfatah.ac.id/index.php/El-idare/article/view/35518/9989
  29. Susianingsih, Pratikno, Y., & Hanaffy, J. (2026). The influence of transformational leadership and emotional intelligence of madrasah principals on teacher performance at MTSN 7 Jakarta. Dinasti International Journal of Digital Business Management, 7(3).
  30. Suwono, H., & Prasetyo, S. D. (2026). Enhancing teacher competencies through innovative professional development practices focusing on sustainable learning environments. Discover Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01451-8
  31. Syarifuddin, S., Susanti, S., & Syahputra, Y. (2022). Kontribusi Motivasi Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan dalam Setting Pendidikan. Journal of Learning and Instructional Studies, 2(1), 38–45. https://www.jlis.idcounselor.com/index.php/jlis/article/view/20%0Ahttps://www.jlis.idcounselor.com/index.php/jlis/article/download/20/28
  32. Thahir, I., Ampry, E. S., & Firdaus. (2025). Implementation of transformational leadership in improving teacher performance in secondary schools. International Journal of Educational Technology and Society, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.61132/ijets.v2i2.372
  33. Wati, R., Hardienata, S., & Lathifah, Z. K. (2026). Strategies for Improving Teacher Performance: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Literature Review on Transformational Leadership, Professional Competence, and Self-Efficacy. Educational Researcher Journal, 3(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.71288/educationalresearcherjournal.v3i1.142
  34. Weerakkody, I. P., Agarwal, N., & Nimali Perera, G. D. (2024). Influence of Transformational Leadership on Job Performance in the Education Context - A Review. International Journal of Emerging Issues in Social Science, Arts, and Humanities, 03(01), 73–86. https://doi.org/10.60072/ijeissah.2024.v3i01.008
  35. Wijaya, S. R., El Khuluqo, I., & Istaryatiningtias. (2025). School quality improvement through transformational leadership and teacher performance: A study in Cengkareng District. Tarbawi: Jurnal Keilmuan Manajemen Pendidikan, 11(2), 223–234. https://doi.org/10.32678/tarbawi.v11i02.11332
  36. Xin, C., Mansor, A. N., Amat, S. Bin, Shihui, H., & Junming, R. (2025). Transformational Leadership and Teachers’ Organizational Commitment: a Systematic Review of 24 Studies in Educational Contexts Aligned With SDG 4. Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review, 5(3), e05088. https://doi.org/10.47172/2965-730x.sdgsreview.v5.n03.pe05088
  37. Yurnita, F., Irdiansyah, I., & Chaniago, S. (2026). Transformational Leadership, Work Ethos, and Motivation in Enhancing Civil Servant Teacher Performance in Northern Cianjur. EDUKASI: JURNAL PENDIDIKAN DAN PENGAJARAN, 13(1), 414–424. https://jurnal.radenfatah.ac.id/index.php/edukasi/article/view/34471/9771