Mirna Koričan Lightman
Episode · #212
MISLIŠTE Mirna Koričan Lajtman
Guest Mirna Koričan LightmanHosted by Sandro KraljevićMay 3, 2026
Mirna Koričan Lightman
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Mirna Koričan Lightman has watched gamification evolve from a fringe concept to a strategic tool, navigating early skepticism to prove its value in serious business contexts. As a psychologist and professor at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, she was an early adopter, introducing complex HR simulations to her students long before the term was widely accepted. She offers a rare perspective on gamification, moving beyond mere buzzwords to explain its deep psychological underpinnings and practical applications across marketing, education, and human resources. This conversation explores how game elements, when thoughtfully applied, can profoundly shift motivation and measurable outcomes.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The 1918 example of a popcorn company including small plastic toys to build customer loyalty illustrates that applying game-like elements to influence behavior is a century-old practice. What seems like a modern strategy often has roots in simple, enduring human motivators.
02
Harvard Business School's development of over forty computer simulations, where students assume roles like sales managers or change leaders, demonstrates that serious games are a legitimate tool for deep learning. These aren't just for entertainment; they're for acquiring complex skills in a guided, scenario-driven environment.
03
When Mirna Koričan Lightman first introduced HR management simulations to her students in 2010, some colleagues viewed the concept of 'games' in an academic setting with skepticism. Introducing novel educational methods often requires persistence, as initial perceptions of 'fun' can overshadow their serious learning potential until results prove otherwise.
04
The Self-Determination Theory by Ryan and Deci, which focuses on autonomy, competence, and relatedness, provides the psychological foundation for effective gamification. True motivation in a gamified experience stems from empowering players to make choices, master skills, and connect with others, rather than relying solely on external rewards.
05
Recognizing that players fall into distinct types, like the 'free spirit' who seeks exploration or the 'achiever' driven by progress and levels, is central to successful gamification design. A one-size-fits-all approach will fail; the experience must be tailored to the specific motivations of the target audience.
06
Evaluating gamification's success extends beyond subjective feedback like 'fun' or 'useful' ratings to objective metrics such as knowledge retention over time and improvements in job performance. The real test of an applied game element is its measurable impact on business outcomes, not just immediate engagement.