SPPA alum Amal Eltahir (Class of 2013) has authored her first book titled, Stepping Up: The Art of Achieving Leadership Excellence for Elevated Team Performance, which recently became available. Her city management experience includes roles in Iowa with Linn County, the City of Marion, and as City Manager of Oskaloosa.

Amal’s book underscores the importance of developing a growth mindset, emphasizing the value of continuous learning and self-improvement. It aims to raise awareness about strategies for enhancing performance in the complex realm of city management. She proposes having not only a business plan but also a leadership plan that incorporates the human element.

By exploring how leaders can focus on a strategy for maximum engagement, Amal suggests they can inspire their teams to reach their full potential and ultimately meet goals in the organization’s strategic plan. This can be accomplished through a mix of communication adapted to the team, empowering leadership skill building within the team, and by being intentional about a positive work environment. Ultimately, the book provides guidance on overcoming the distinct challenges of public service, motivating teams to elevate their performance, and encouraging more meaningful contributions.

Stepping Up is available through major booksellers.