<![CDATA[This study aims to describe the role of leadership, obstacles, and ways to overcome obstacles in building a school culture. This research is a qualitative research with a descriptive approach. Sources of data in this study were school principals, vice principals, teachers and students. Data collection methods used are interviews, observation, and documentation. Data validity test was carried out by source triangulation. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively using Miles and Huberman's data analysis method. The results of the study show that: (1) The role of the school principal includes: having a leadership spirit and a high sense of enthusiasm, the principal is able to become an educator to provide innovation and education and even as a leader. In this case the school principal focuses on school culture to become distinctive features including: learning effectiveness, school environment, clean culture and healthy living, character strengthening, schools with Islamic nuances, and character strengthening on local wisdom. (2) The obstacles encountered include: lack of commitment among school members, lack of awareness of discipline, some teachers have old ways of thinking, lack of awareness among school members regarding school rules and regulations. (3) The principal's way of coping is to build good and effective communication, create a comfortable and conducive working atmosphere, plan the principal's work program, change the mindset of all stakeholders, provide guidance through teacher meetings, imtaq and outreach.]]>
