The result of our researches suggest that the obstacles preventing talent-management program from delivering business value are all too humans.

Nearly half of the interviewees expressed concern that the senior leadership of their organizations doesn't align talent-management strategies with business strategies.

As one leader commented, "Habits of mind are the real barriers to talent management".

The results of our research, which included in-depth interviews with 50 CEOs, business unit leaders, and human-resources (HR) professionals from around the world, suggest that the obstacles preventing talent-management programs from delivering business value are all too human.