Talent Wants to Be Free

Why We Should Learn to Love Leaks, Raids, and Free Riding

By: Orly Lobel

Narrated by: Ginger White

This timely audiobook challenges conventional business wisdom about competition, secrecy, motivation, and creativity. Orly Lobel, an internationally acclaimed expert in the law and economics of human capital, warns that a set of counterproductive mentalities are stifling innovation in many regions and companies. Lobel asks how innovators, entrepreneurs, research teams, and every one of us who experiences the occasional spark of creativity can triumph in today's innovation ecosystems.

In every industry and every market, battles to recruit, retain, train, energize, and motivate the best people are fierce. From Facebook to Google, Coca-Cola to Intel, JetBlue to Mattel, Lobel uncovers specific factors that produce winners or losers in the talent wars. Combining original behavioral experiments with sharp observations of contemporary battles over ideas, secrets, and skill, Lobel identifies motivation, relationships, and mobility as the most important ingredients for successful innovation. Presented is a set of positive changes in corporate strategies, industry norms, regional policies, and national laws that will help talent flow, creativity, and growth.

©2013 Orly Lobel (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A compelling argument for a new set of attitudes toward human capital that will sharpen our competitive edge and fuel the creative sparks in any environment.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Anyone interested in promoting innovation should read Orly Lobel's powerful analysis.” (Martha Minow, dean of Harvard Law School)

"A how-to guide for economic growth in the twenty-first century." (Jason Mazzone, author of Copyfraud and Other Abuses of Intellectual Property Law)

Slightly misleading title

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The content in this book is interesting and somewhat engaging. The narration is well done. However, I'm not entirely sold on the author's point of view. In fact, I found that I disagree with their stance on non-compete agreements. I believe, as many employers do, that an employee working for both them and a direct competitor is a conflict of interests. These clauses don't prevent someone from leaving the employ of one and going to work for a competitor. If I go from one employer to its competitor, there is still the benefit of knowledge transfer, so I don't believe non-compete agreements are truly a source of restriction as the author implies. I also disagree with the author's assertion that corporations protecting themselves is a leading cause of start-up failures. Do they contribute? Sure, but there are far more influential factors that cause them to fail. Honestly, I think your job is what you make of it and the truly innovative will find a way to be successful. That is, of course, my opinion. So, take that as you will.

INTERESTING TAKE ON ACQUIRING/KEEPING TALENT

I found this book very interesting. There's a lot out there about recognizing, getting, keeping talented workers/innovators. It was well written and loved the narration. Interesting take on non-compete agreements; I don't really know enough on the subject to debate this topic, but in this dog-eat-dog world it's a good tool, when used correctly. Very informative and thought-provoking, and I enjoyed the listen :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The Economics of hiring talent

This is an interesting Book giving a variety of insights into trying to get the most talented people for a particular Business.

Since we are in Trump world However an important element can affect this competition for the best people.

The current Immigration policies of our present Government may have a major impact in the intense hunt for the most talented people.


Our present lead with Silicon Valley as a good example is made up of many foreign individuals who may now not have an opportunity to join the talent pool in America.

Regardless of this unfortunate fact this is a good effort that well enable many Businesses to better compete in this important
area of any Commercial enterprise.


The Narrator did a good job with the material.



This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.