Seagull approach
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The phrase seagull approach is a derisive reference to casual, ill-informed and hasty decisions or comments made by outside authorities who lack an understanding of the local issues or a real understanding of the facts of a particular situation. The phrase is loosely derived from the behavior of seagulls - to fly in, leave their droppings, and fly away.
For example, head office managers and management consultants are sometimes referred to as "using the seagull approach to management" if the employees at a location feel that a significant decision that affects them has been reached in a hasty fashion, without a proper understanding of the situation; or if the employees' time is wasted listening to ill-informed pronouncements from someone who will soon leave, and create no positive results.
There are also many net-references popularized by a popular, IT-related comic strip or two, regarding the seagull manager. Online references date this term back to 1988 at least as it was referenced in a marketing magazine article. The seagull manager is epitomized by their practice of the above described technique. This reference also refers to managers that are hired on the strength of their resume and/or professional references and contacts, then proceed to make an unholy mess of everything before flying out to a new position so they can escape the repercussions of their decisions.
