The Unicorn Approach is a business phrase for handling those times when your boss is asking for the impossible and/or making completely unrealistic demands. Often, when they are demanding this, they resent any "negative" feedback. You can smile and say "Sure boss, we'll apply the Unicorn Approach to that and get right on it."
Strictly defined, the Unicorn Approach is pretending that all will be well in fantasy land, where it's rainbows and sunshine all the time. And Unicorns frolic. It allows the poor shmuck being asked to deal with the ridiculous, ludicrous demands of egotistical bosses with a bit of humor. Sure, it doesn't fix the problem but honestly - you can't fix it anyway so at least you can smile a bit!
Strictly defined, the Unicorn Approach is pretending that all will be well in fantasy land, where it's rainbows and sunshine all the time. And Unicorns frolic. It allows the poor shmuck being asked to deal with the ridiculous, ludicrous demands of egotistical bosses with a bit of humor. Sure, it doesn't fix the problem but honestly - you can't fix it anyway so at least you can smile a bit!
Boss: You need to triple your sales this month. It doesn't matter that there are multiple blizzards, there are no sales people and your facility is under renovation. NO EXCUSES! Manager: Sure boss, we'll apply the Unicorn Approach and get right on it.
by billytrish January 20, 2011