INTEGRATING ASTA BRATA VALUES IN INDONESIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP: A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY

The academic inquiry has paid significant attention to leadership style, which profoundly impacts an organization‘s development and progress. Scholars claim that this is of paramount importance for an organization to succeed. This study examines elementaryschool principals‘ approach to practicing Asta Brataleadership values as they perceive them.This study was conducted using a qualitative approach with a case study design. The subjects of the study were 22 participants, who were elementary school principals and who were later set for thematic analysis. The data analysis indicates that the Bali elementary school principals operate under the leadership style principles derived from Asta Brata, which include inclusiveness, harmony, moral responsibility, and professional integrity. The findings help principals with educational leadership intersect with Asta Brataand local wisdom in understanding elementary school administrators‘ leadership practices and decisions. This study advances notions of responsibility and practicality of leadership by drawing attention to leadership theory and practice and incorporating deep-seated cultural heritage to enable effective and ethical leadership in education.Key words:Asta Brata leadership, school principal, elementary schools, qualitative case study