The slang term seagull manager describes a type of boss who suddenly swoops into a situation, makes a lot of noise, criticizes or disrupts the work, creates confusion, and then leaves without offering real solutions or taking responsibility for the outcome. The phrase became popular after a joke in Ken Blanchard's 1985 book Leadership and the One Minute Manager, which compared such managers to seagulls that "fly in, make a lot of noise, dump on everyone, then fly out." The image stuck because it vividly captures the frustration employees feel when dealing with leaders who appear only to interfere, rather than to guide or support. Over time, it has become a widely recognized metaphor in workplace culture for ineffective, hands-off, and disruptive management styles.

What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "seagull manager"?

Définition et signification de « seagull manager » en anglais

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