What a Screeching Seagull Can Teach Us About Reframing Workplace Behaviors
Why “Pesky” Isn’t Always the Problem—and What That Means for L&D
Have you ever lost a french fry to a seagull?
If so, you know the feeling: mild betrayal, comedic rage, and the flailing hand gestures that somehow never work. Seagulls — scavengers by nature — have long occupied the mental space between amusing and annoying.
But in Belgium, someone decided to change the story.
Enter the Seagull Screeching Contest — a real, feather-filled tradition created by educator and comedian Claude Willaert. The goal? Ease human-bird tension and, in his words, “make seagulls sexy again.” Contestants (including children and “colonies” of adults) don white feather boas and compete in categories that judge screeching and behavior.
In 2025, Anna Brynald stole the show — in full bird regalia — reminding us all that even the most mocked creatures can soar when given a new lens.
It’s entertaining, yes — but it’s also a compelling metaphor for the work we do at Solutions Arts.
Reframing: The Core of Custom Learning
In every organization, there are “seagulls” — roles, behaviors, or people that get written off too quickly:
That employee who resists change? Maybe they’re protecting institutional knowledge.
That compliance department labeled “difficult”? They’re likely craving clarity and collaboration.
That team that seems disengaged? They might feel unseen, unheard, and underutilized.
When we work with clients in healthcare, MedTech, biopharma, and beyond, we hear the same stories, wrapped in different language. And we do what Belgium did with its gulls: we rewrite the narrative.
Through:
Custom learning experiences designed with empathy and insight
DEIAB strategies that rehumanize and reconnect
Leadership development programs that treat “behavioral issues” as data, not drama
We transform friction into focus.
From Screeching to Soaring
Behavioral transformation isn’t about silencing the screech. It’s about listening differently.
When organizations shift from reaction to curiosity, from blame to possibility, everything changes:
Training becomes an invitation, not an obligation
Leadership becomes a platform for visibility and voice
Culture becomes a space where performance and belonging coexist
Just like the gulls, your people don’t need to be “fixed.” They need to be understood, empowered, and celebrated.
So, here’s our question: What’s one “seagull” in your workplace narrative that deserves a second look?
Let’s reframe together.
Ready to rethink how your team learns, leads, and lives into change?