Exploration of Village Head Strategies in Improving Employee Work Discipline at Dolok Sagala Village Office, Dolok Masihul Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai

Abstract

This study originates from the phenomenon of low work discipline among village officials, which negatively affects public service quality at Dolok Sagala Village Office, Dolok Masihul Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai Regency. The main problems identified include lateness, irregular working hours, weak administrative responsibility, and the absence of structured strategies by the village head to improve discipline. The objective of this research is to explore the leadership strategies of the village head in fostering a culture of discipline among village officials, while also identifying supporting and inhibiting factors. The research method employed is descriptive qualitative, focusing on the village head and village officials as the subjects. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, then analyzed systematically to uncover the leadership strategies applied. The findings reveal that the strategies implemented by the village head include enforcing work regulations, applying sanctions and rewards, continuous coaching, and demonstrating leadership by example. Supporting factors consist of existing village regulations, internal supervision, and officials’ work motivation. Inhibiting factors include weak organizational culture, lack of leadership role models, and unclear reward mechanisms.