Organizations are failing to harness the full potential of their workforce due to a fundamental misunderstanding of talent. Jacqueline Davis and Jeremy Kourdi argue that businesses often make flawed choices in identifying and nurturing talent, leading to unfulfilled employee potential and hindering sustainable success. This book presents qualitative and quantitative international research on talent management and employee engagement, complemented by an original survey of executives. It aims to guide organizations in recognizing talent across diverse career stages, experiences, and aspirations to foster growth and economic benefit.

The book is presented as a resource for organizations seeking to improve their talent management strategies. It draws upon international research and executive surveys to support its arguments about the common pitfalls in identifying and developing employee potential. The authors advocate for a more nuanced understanding of talent to achieve sustainable organizational success. The framing suggests a practical, research-backed approach for business leaders and HR professionals.