Playing the Long Game with Jon Harrison

In this episode of The Engagement Architect Podcast, host Chris Bennett speaks with Jon Harrison, organizational development expert, author, and TEDx speaker, about what video games quietly teach us about learning, motivation, and human skill development, and why those lessons matter more than ever in an age of AI.Jon shares why the most valuable skills games develop aren’t technical, but human: persistence, adaptability, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and the ability to learn through failure. We explore why these skills often don’t transfer automatically to work or school, and what it actually takes to make that transfer happen.The conversation digs into why games are such powerful learning environments, how good challenge design sustains motivation, and what parents, educators, and leaders often misunderstand about play. We also examine the limits of gamification, the difference between engagement and manipulation, and why AI tools amplify—not replace—human skills.This episode is not about becoming a gamer. It’s about understanding how people learn best, why practice beats instruction, and how to design environments—at work, at school, and in life—where learning actually sticks.Purchase Jon's new book here: https://a.co/d/6PJcYGZMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.