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  • The outdated attitudes and beliefs towards work, performance and culture that we need to permanently retire; 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

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