HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ABOUT “SEAGULL MANAGERS”?

Have you ever heard the term “Seagull Manager”?

In short… It refers to a leader who swoops in, creates chaos, offers little value, and then flies off, leaving the team to clean up the mess.

In leadership, this management style can be incredibly detrimental, demoralising teams and stifling progress. Are you this?

Questions to ask yourself?

• Do you lack regular engagement with your team and only show up when things go wrong? → When deadlines are looming, you need to check-in with your team regularly and not only when they are behind schedule…and then blame them for poor results when they are late.
  
• How great are you at providing clear direction? → Giving vague or broad instructions, and expecting teams to figure it out on their own is a sure sign you’re a Seagull. Be specific and leave no room for ambiguity in your guidance.
  
• How often do you complain and criticise vs offer support? → Focussing on mistakes without solutions or support for improvement is a real culture & productivity killer. Seeking out where you can compliment will be a game-changer.
  
• When the rubber meets the road, are you in the trenches taking accountability…or have you quietly left the room? → Don’t avoid responsibility when problems arise, and especially don’t leave the team to take the blame. It’s always going to be your fault so may as well own it.

   

If you do happen to be Seagull Manager I expect there are many more examples your team can come up with. Fostering a culture of continuous support, clear communication, and shared accountability is what you need to be doing. Not any of the above.

Don’t be a Seagull (or a Duck). Be an Eagle (IYKYK).