Manufacturing Culture Podcast Promoted But Never Trained: Craig Coyle on the Leadership Crisis in Manufacturing
Jul 29, 2025
53:21
In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer interviews Craig Coyle, a former Apache pilot and now a leadership consultant. They discuss the importance of culture in organizations, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the need for effective leadership in manufacturing. Craig shares his insights on how to create a positive work environment that inspires employees and the significance of community in both military and civilian settings. He emphasizes the importance of treating leadership as a profession and the need for continuous development and support among leaders.
Takeaways
- Culture is a result and a lag measure of organizational health.
- Leadership is not just about hard work; it's about inspiring others.
- The military experience teaches valuable lessons about pressure and leadership.
- Transitioning to civilian life can be challenging, especially in finding community.
- Manufacturing has a unique opportunity to create positive change in people's lives.
- Effective leadership requires understanding and developing relationships.
- Organizations must focus on higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy to retain talent.
- Leadership should be treated as a profession with proper training and development.
- Community and support are crucial for leaders to succeed.
- The future of manufacturing depends on creating environments that inspire and engage employees.
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker
- 05:55 Understanding Culture
- 08:03 Early Life and Background
- 10:19 Choosing West Point
- 11:49 Military Experience and Leadership
- 19:41 Transitioning to Civilian Life
- 22:59 Finding Community in Manufacturing
- 24:10 Building Community in Manufacturing
- 25:17 The Birth of Operation Lead
- 26:12 Challenges in Military and Manufacturing
- 29:21 Understanding Labor as a Commodity
- 31:37 Tapping into Maslow's Hierarchy
- 33:21 The Gap in Leadership Development
- 35:12 Leadership as a Profession
- 39:57 The Importance of Internal Culture
- 42:24 Opportunities in Manufacturing
- 44:12 Encouragement for New Leaders