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GA 571 | What Employee Engagement Isn’t with Craig Coyle

By Jessica Bush Updated on March 13th, 2025

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This week’s guest is Craig Coyle. Ron and Craig discussed Craig’s experience as an Apache pilot, what employee engagement is and isn’t, why new leaders quit, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Craig’s favorite quote (2:37)
His background (3:26)
The first time Craig flew an Apache on his own (7:01)
Why employee engagement is critical (8:40)
What engagement looks like (12:29)
Craig’s advice he gives to senior leaders (17:26)
Why new leaders quit (21:21)
His advice for finding community (27:25)
Mentorship versus community or fellowship (30:32)
Empowering people on the frontlines (31:45)
What Craig would recommend to people who are struggling (35:35)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Craig on LinkedIn
Operation Lead

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What Do You Think?

What is employee engagement and what is it not?

Jessica Bush

Jessica is responsible for the editorial aspects of Gemba Academy’s content, focusing on course materials, podcast production, social media, and other copywriting efforts. An avid advocate of entrepreneurship, Jessica has worked with two technology startups as co-founder and head marketing strategist. Jessica received her BS in Business Administration from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a minor in Music.

Kok Peng Ricky Liew
May 20, 2025 - 10:28 pm
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Thanks for the episode that talk about the heart of continuous improvement, employee engagement. Understand that in most organization, strategy normally comes first, then tactic, and roll out to get employee buy-in. That sounds to me like a classic top-down approach. I have seen many of these types of initiative failed to get the buy-in from the employees who ultimately executing the strategy.

What is your advice to improve employee engagement more holistically?