Learning Through Play: Game-Based Learning at Scale with UWV

In this episode of The Learning Edge Podcast, Leif Sørensen speaks with Jessica Vissers-van Ostaijen and Nancy Kirkels from UWV, a Dutch public organization supporting people through changes in their working lives. With extensive experience in change management, Jessica and Nancy share how they have successfully integrated game-based learning into leadership development across an organization with approximately 40,000 employees. Jessica and Nancy explain how they have facilitated more than 80 game sessions across different divisions of UWV, using simulations as a regular part of leadership programs and in workshops with management teams and directors. They discuss how the same game can generate new insights every time it is played, even for participants who have experienced it before, and share practical advice for managing the initial chaos of getting large groups started. The conversation explores why game-based learning can reveal authentic behaviors that might otherwise remain hidden in meetings and discussions. Jessica and Nancy explain how simulations create a safe environment for exploring resistance to change, leadership styles, and team dynamics. They also emphasize the facilitator's role in connecting the experience to everyday work, using reflection questions to turn decisions made in the game into meaningful conversations and practical learning. The episode also looks at how game data can support leadership development by revealing patterns in how teams make decisions, while highlighting an important distinction: game data shows how people acted in a specific simulation, not necessarily how they behave in every real-life situation. Above all, Jessica and Nancy share a powerful message for anyone considering game-based learning: embrace the uncertainty, make room for reflection, and give it a try. There is no perfect path to managing change, because every team is different. Connect with Jessica Vissers-van Ostaijen and Nancy Kirkels on LinkedIn. Learn more about UWV: https://www.uwv.nl/ Find out more about Actee: https://actee.com/ Follow Actee on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/actee

In this episode of The Learning Edge Podcast, Leif Sørensen speaks with Barbara Hell-Vianden from The Showcase, an international consultant with more than 25 years of experience in business development, communication, and organizational transformation. Barbara shares how she first began using Actee simulations in corporate workshops. She recounts a high-stakes strategic seminar in Berlin with senior leaders facing resistance to change and complex stakeholder dynamics. Despite initial concerns about introducing a "game" in a serious business setting, the simulation quickly surfaced hidden behaviors, sparked honest conversations, and produced tangible strategic insights. Drawing on her background as a former professional athlete and Ironman trainee, Barbara explains why experimentation, resilience, and stepping into the unknown are essential qualities for consultants. She also offers practical advice for using game-based learning effectively: clarify the strategic objective, create psychological safety for participants, let group dynamics unfold during gameplay, and dedicate time to translating insights from the simulation into real business actions. The episode explores how simulations can move beyond traditional workshops to help organizations test decisions, understand stakeholder behavior, and drive meaningful change.   Learn more about The Showcase: https://the-showcase.eu/ Connect with Barbara Hell-Vianden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-hell-vianden/ Find out more about Actee: https://actee.com/ Follow Actee on LinkedIn:  https://dk.linkedin.com/company/actee

In this episode of The Learning Edge Podcast, Leif is joined by Sascha Ruh from Sparkassen Consulting to explore how gamification can ensure that learning truly sticks. Sascha and his colleagues have been working strategically with simulation-based workshops to make sure that training initiatives continue to have an impact long after the session ends. With deep experience in change management, Sascha explains how gamified learning helps secure the soft skills necessary to anchor technical transformations. Rather than treating games as entertainment, Sparkassen Consulting links every simulation directly to real organizational change. Participants are invited to test strategic assumptions, explore management decisions, and experience resistance in a realistic yet safe environment. Sascha reflects on how initial hesitation in the room often turns into surprise and engagement once the simulation begins. A simple game setup quickly reveals decision-making patterns and highlights how leadership choices influence resistance and progress. One of the most powerful elements is replaying the simulation with a different strategy and reviewing what created a new outcome. In this episode, Sascha shares practical insights into using gamification intentionally—starting with clear goals, identifying expected bottlenecks, and ensuring that every workshop is designed to drive meaningful, lasting change. Learn more about Sparkassen Consulting: https://s-c.de/ Connect with Sascha Ruh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sascha-ruh-023412217/ Find out more about Actee: https://actee.com/ Follow Actee on LinkedIn:  https://dk.linkedin.com/company/actee

In this episode of The Learning Edge podcast, Leif is visited by one of our greatest collaborators in Denmark; Malou Havskjold from HUMAN UNIVERZ. Malou and her colleagues have been using Actee's games in workshop settings for many years and have developed a unique understanding of how to utilize them to their full potential. Their focus when using games is to create lasting, meaningful change by continually challenging participants to reflect on their actions. Malou has worked with change management for many years and is an expert at identifying challenges and motivating others to act rather than simply instructing them. She seeks to elevate others through inspiration and thrives on nurturing real transformation. In this episode, she shares powerful insights into unlocking the full potential of gamified workshops. Malou explains how seemingly locked group dynamics can be shifted by reconfiguring team compositions and how leaders can adopt an observing role, giving others the space to discuss and define the way forward.   Learn more about HUMAN UNIVERZ: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanuniverz/ Connect with Malou Havskjold on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiehalkjaer/ Find out more about Actee:  https://actee.com/ Follow Actee on LinkedIn:  https://dk.linkedin.com/company/actee   Malou and HUMAN UNIVERZ are experts in this field and we are certain that you will enjoy this episode!

Start the year with an inspiring episode of The Learning Edge Podcast. In this episode, Leif from Actee is visited by Dr. Dennis Brodbeck, a senior consultant at GMP. Gesellschaft für Management-Psychologie and an expert in Management Psychology. Although Dennis is well anchored in the theoretical aspects of his field, he is always focused on the practical application of his knowledge which initially led him to utilize games in the process of training leaders. Throughout this episode, Dennis shares his experience using games in workshop settings. He reflects on what workshop settings are the most compatible with games, the role of the consultant, the preparation required to run a successful workshop, the pitfalls of training through games, and how to translate insights from a game into concrete business outcomes. Listening to this episode will let you experience an expert in his field who is never too busy to reflect on the finer details of his own approach and who provides honest answers about the practical application of games. At Actee, our vision is to make learning more engaging, reflective, and impactful by using games as a serious tool for development. We believe games create the space needed for people to explore complex topics, gain shared language, and turn insight into action in real business contexts. Find out more about Actee on our website and LinkedIn.  Learn more about GMP: https://de.linkedin.com/company/gmp-gesellschaft-f%C3%BCr-management-psychologie Connect with Dennis Brodbeck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=Dr.%20Dennis%20Brodbeck Find out more about Actee: https://actee.com/ Follow Actee on LinkedIn: https://dk.linkedin.com/company/actee Don't miss out on this fantastic episode!

In this episode of The Learning Edge Podcast, we invited Julian A. Wehlmann from Pawlik to discuss their experience using games as a tool in workshops. Recently, the consulting firm have been working with high-profile corporation Zalando and in this episode, we pick Julian's brain on his experience running game-based workshops for such a major cooperation. Julian is the head of Project Management at Pawlik and have been using Actee games alongside his collagues for years. Whether you are an experienced facilitator or would like to start using games in your workshops, Julian's insights are sure to provide you with helpful tips and tricks for facilitating.   Episode themes: Describe the workshop and learning goal.   From your perspective, why are games an effective tool in Zalando workshops? How do you integrate games into your consulting process with Pawlik? What impact have you observed on engagement, decision-making, and learning retention? Do you see any limitations or challenges in using games with corporate clients, what the dos and don't? How do you use the game stat and data you get from your games?  Looking ahead, how do you think game-based approaches will evolve in large-scale organizations? What is your best advice to someone who want to create a workshop with games?   Whether you're designing #learning programs, #coaching leaders, or simply curious about the power of #games in learning, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and inspiration.

Strap in for an extended summer-episode of The Learning Edge Podcast. This time, we have the honour of interviewing Trevor Rosenberg and Chris Beckert. Leif, Trevor, and Chris are discussing strategic reasons for implementing game-based learning in leadership training. Chris and Trevor represent the Center for Creative Leadership who have utilized Actee for many years and is one of the industry's most prominent management- and leadership trainers. In this extended summer episode, we're thrilled to be joined by Trevor Rosenberg and Chris Beckert from Center for Creative Leadership CCL a world-renowned organization at the forefront of leadership development. CCL has been using the Actee platform for years as a strategic tool in their programs, and in this episode, we dive deep into how games create lasting learning experiences in leadership and change processes. Together we explore: The strategic value of using game-based learning How CCL integrates Actee into global leadership programs The practicalities of designing a game-based process—from planning to facilitation Real-world examples and outcomes from their leadership development sessions If you're working in HR, L&D, leadership development, or facilitation, this episode offers insights into why games matter, how to choose the right one, and what it takes to move from ideas to impact. Session agenda includes: Introduction: Meet the guests and their connection to Actee New Games: A look at recent developments and game additions The New Gameboards: How visual structures enhance engagement After-Game Player Profiles: Using data to deepen learning New Host View: Easier facilitation and more control Q&A: Direct answers to real challenges from the field Duration: 45 min well spent Whether you're designing #learning programs, #coaching leaders, or simply curious about the power of #games in learning, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and inspiration. 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to level up your learning experiences.  

Today, we are truly excited to introduce someone who's been using the Actee platform for the past five years and is now working with Implement and using Actee in the DACH region. Nina Moeller from https://implementconsultinggroup.com/ brings with her more than 20 years of experience in the world of business transformation. She has held line management roles, led major transformation programs, and worked as a consultant across multiple industries. From international corporations to local initiatives, Nina has helped reshape how organizations think, act, and grow. Her focus areas are broad—but deeply connected: Strategy development Organizational design Change management Leadership development and coaching HR innovation Process optimization She's seen transformation from every angle—and she knows what it takes to move from ideas to impact. Currently she is a core part of IMplement in Germany and a true game facilitator.   Listen to this episode to gain insights into Nina's best practices with Games running workshops. Get insights into why, how, and when to use games, how to choose the right game, and how to design a game-based process in personal and organizational training. Working in HR, L&D learning or if you work as a facilitator, or if you are interested in the use of games, the 30 min on this podcast will be well spend.  

Join us for an incredible new episode of The Learning Edge Podcast. Joining Leif Sørensen today is Tobias Wunsch who is here to teach us how to optimally run virtual workshops.   In 2019, Tobias was forced to teach himself how to run virtual workshops and has since then fully embraced the digital workspace. With help from both an older- and a younger mentor, Tobias transformed himself and his services in management- and leadership trainings.   At this point, Tobias is likely to have the most advanced setup for running Actee games virtually and today he is joining Leif for a conversation that can help you get started too!   You do not want to miss this episode if you plan on running a virtual workshop!

Join us for yet another episode of The Learning Edge Podcast. This episode features Leif Sørensen and Ann-Mari Mikander. This episode is all about facilitating Actee games based on the experience of Ann-Mari in DNA Oyj (a daugther company of Telenor). This is also a special episode for Leif who reveals that Telenor was his first major client.   The subjects covered in today's episode are how to set up the ideal foundation for a game workshop, how to properly prepare for running a workshop, and the future of game-based learning.   We know you will enjoy this episode!