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Talent Liberation by Deborah Hartung

August 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Deborah Hartung

Deborah Hartung

Book Review

Talent Liberation, the new book by Deborah Hartung, is for every business leader, entrepreneur and startup founder who has been wanting to axe the annual performance appraisal process  in their business, but is unsure of either how to do that or of what to replace annual appraisals with.

In this candid how-to-guide, Deborah Hartung clarifies and explains:

  • The outdated attitudes and beliefs towards work, performance and culture that we need to permanently retire; 

  • The link between performance management methodologies and toxic workplace culture and how to break the cycle; 

  • How to manage and measure on outcomes instead of hours worked; 

  • How to improve performance and engagement through regular feedback and recognition; and

  • How to use the DIRC model of performance management to improve both overall organisational performance levels and workplace culture.

By the end of Talent Liberation, you will have a blueprint to implement in your organisation to help you unleash human potential, whilst ensuring that you improve collaboration, transparency and accountability in your teams and reach new levels of organisational efficiency, innovation and profitability.

Author quotes

It's not the system or the methodologies in use in workplaces around the world as much as it is actually our underlying attitudes and beliefs about work and human motivation and productivity and profit, that is to blame for the situation we find ourselves in. 

We are constantly telling people what they can be and what lofty heights they are allowed to aspire to. We tell them what they are permitted to learn at work and what future career paths they are allowed to pursue and then we are surprised when people are disengaged and demotivated. 

When last did you stop to think about the origins of our current performance management methodologies? Or spend time thinking about what motivates people to work or to continue to learn and grow and do more and try harder?  

If there is one thing that humanity has shown us all over and over again, is that the possibilities are absolutely boundless and that humans are extremely creative and resourceful. 

About the author

Encouraging Business & HR leaders to be unapologetically YOUnique, Deborah Hartung is a leadership and culture consultant with 20 years’ experience in all things HR. In her first book, Talent Liberation, Deborah offers an exciting alternative to traditional performance management and the annual appraisal. Much like her personality and on-stage presence, her writing is candid, energetic and heartfelt. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Deborah is a 20 year veteran of all things HR. Having worked in employee relations and litigation, corporate HR Management, Talent Management consulting as well as HR & Digital Transformation projects and Organisational Change Management, Deborah has a 'people first' approach to workplace transformation.  When she's not working to change the world of work, one team at a time, Deborah spends as much time as possible taking her 2 children on adventures and exposing them to the comedic genius that is Seinfeld.

Website deborahhartung.com

Book Launch Site booklaunch.io/deborah_hartung/talentliberation


Why LoA loves it…

Every entrepreneur knows that their business is only as good and as strong as its people, and that’s why nurturing and growing our people is key to business success. When a business is operating at its full capacity, and everyone buys into the vision and knows their role in achieving success, it means the brand culture is a positive one.  But that can be hard to achieve. Deborah Hartung is a real leadership and culture specialist who understands the power of unleashing human potential. Her new book will help anyone building a people-first business to ensure they reach new levels of organisational efficiency, innovation and profitability. This is a must-read for every entrepreneur who wants to take their business to the next level, and importantly, take their people with them on the journey. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa

In Essential Tags Books
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Sustainable Summer Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™
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Ethical luxury accessories…We think this Mara bag from the creative Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya, is perfect for any occasion. Bush Princess is an ethical fashion brand, committed to s
Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka
Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map
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Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
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Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Food Lounge Mz

Glamorous fruit gifting…For all those lovers of great hand-made chocolates, look no further than Food Lounge Mz in Mozambique, founded by Kátia Agy. Previously known as a singer and TV presenter, K&aac Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak 

Eye-catching accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The br Image of the Day / The Joinery

Sustainable Summer Tote…We have always been big fans of The Joinery, the sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa founded by Natalie and Kim Ellis, and their exciting Future Tex™ Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Bush Princess

Ethical luxury accessories…We think this Mara bag from the creative Charlotte Lefebvre, founder of Bush Princess in Kenya, is perfect for any occasion. Bush Princess is an ethical fashion brand, committed to s Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

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