Informal teacher leadership: lessons from shepherd leadership

The study aimed to analyze the similarities and differences between shepherd leadership and informal teacher leadership. The research method used was content analysis. The results showed that there were several similarities and differences between shepherd leadership and informal teacher leadership based on contents, characters, competencies, methods, and targets (C3MT). Similarities were found in the content of categories and components such as humility (character) and method (community-centered and relationship-oriented). At the same time, differences included content (love), character (sacrifice, trust, and integrity), competency (caring, guidance, and gathering), method (servant-oriented), and target (wellbeing or welfare). Based on this data analysis, three findings of similarities and differences between shepherd leadership and informal leadership have emerged: (1) All teachers are teacher leaders; (2) Teacher leadership role is not a hierarchy or top-down or lord-servant relationship; and (3) Teacher leadership is not a formal title, position, or authority.