Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the leadership styles of principals of State Islamic Senior High Schools (MAN), specifically how well the principals motivate, mobilize, direct, and evaluate teachers' performance to achieve students' academic attainment. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study with a multi-site case study was conducted at three MAN in Tulungagung, East Java, Indonesia. Principals of MAN were interviewed, as were administrators and teachers to confirm the principals' performances and the results of their leadership on professional management, school policies, procedures, and on the implementation of the schools' dynamic and students' academic attainments. Findings This study revealed that MAN principals are the central figures in the Islamic schools. In particular, implementation of leadership styles is specified as: motivating: intensive communications, incentives, and transparent administrative management; mobilizing: giving opportunities to study for higher degrees, workshops, internet facilities, and rewards; directing: additional teaching hours, scholarships, briefings, and cooperation with other agencies; and evaluating: class visits, personal meetings, encouraging participation, communicating with madrasah committees, collaborating with foreign universities, and conducting research to improve learning. Effective leadership styles evidently increase students' academic attainments. Research limitations/implications Limitations are shown in the sites that are in an area of restricted technologies in a developing country. Originality/value This study develops its setting and orientation by integrating Islamic and global values in education management. It shows the prominent role of MAN principals, as the specific cases exemplify leadership and management at secondary schools.
