Who Moved My Cheese? Surviving Organizational Change (Even If You Don’t Like Cheese)

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Now to this week’s topic: When the Cheese Moves, Move with It. Let me be the first to tell you – I don’t cheese. Just ask my family – I will NOT be the one asked to bring the macaroni & cheese to any family gathering; that’s not a dish I make, PERIOD. I do like pizza on occasion. But please, do not put cheese on my hamburger! When my “special request” for no cheese” actually includes this beloved staple, I have to decide – do I take it back or do I try to just scrape the gooeyness off, in hopes the cheesy taste doesn’t shock my palate and take away from the food! Oh if only sigh…

For this post, the word “cheese” a metaphor, like in the book, Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It’s about four characters who live in a maze, and how they handle (or avoid) changes in the cheese supply. It’s a quick read that takes you through a lighthearted journey to show how we respond to changes, not only in the workplace – but life, in general. It’s all about that inevitable shift that happens – when the “cheese” in your workplace (or in life) shifts or moves. And believe me, even the strongest, oldest, and wisest among us can get thrown off when that “cheese” suddenly isn’t where it’s supposed to be.

The story involves two mice, named Sniff and Scurry, and two little people, Hem and Haw. And each one has their own unique way of handling change. They’re all trying to find cheese – it’s a symbol for what you want in life, whatever brings satisfaction. The maze represents where you look for your cheese. For some folks, that “cheese” might be a job, for others, a relationship, or life goal(s).

The Four Cheese Seekers in the Maze:

The characters can teach us valuable lessons; even their names give us clues:

Sniff: is always noticing, “sniffing out” even the smallest changes. Sniff doesn’t wait for the cheese to disappear! Sniff senses (or seems to have privy to) when a big shift is coming.

Scurry: isn’t interested in analyzing or discussing things. Scurry just jumps right into action. When the cheese disappears, Scurry’s already down the maze, hustling for that next stash of “cheddar” – what else might be out there. Scurry’s resumé and LinkedIn profile stay updated!

Hem: is the “sit and wait” type. Hem is stubborn and stuck. Hem stays in that empty cheese station, sulking about how unfair life is! Hem keeps hoping things go back to the way they used to be - that everything will just go back to “normal”. Sorry Hem, “normal” is gone.

Haw: starts out like Hem - grumbling and resisting. Yet Haw, after lots of hemming and hawing (yes, that’s it) eventually gets it together. Slowly and maybe even reluctantly, Haw steps out of their self-imposed comfort zone, down the maze to find new cheese.

Tips for Surviving Organizational Change.

Who Moved My Cheese? teaches us that change is inevitable. Life doesn’t come with guarantees, but our response is our choice. Here are five tips (in my simple 3-word format) to help you survive changes in your workplace – even if you don’t like where it’s going. These tips come straight from this “retired” nonprofit leader, coach, and mentor who’s seen, tried, heard about, and learned from more than a few cheesy moves in her time.

• Look for changes. Whether it’s a new boss, a new program strategy, or funding shifts, staying aware will help you prepare, instead of scrambling. Be like Sniff! Do you sense something is shifting? Simply notice. Pay attention. Try to prepare accordingly.

• Don’t overanalyze it. The first step is the hardest. When you see/know and can verify that changes are coming, start making your adjustments! Find your Scurry and stop analyzing, justifying, and talking about it - just start moving.

• Don’t get stuck. Don’t waste time wishing things were how they used to be. When the cheese is gone, it’s gone Hem! Let it go...staying stuck won’t bring the cheese back.

• Embrace baby steps. Ease into change. Small, slow and steady steps are still progress. Haw would approve. Haw realizes that change can bring new opportunities.

• Learn from change. Look for what you can learn or how you can grow. Sometimes change shows up disguised as a loss or a failure, but it can bring new opportunities and lessons
  

Sometimes you embrace the new “cheese” – whether it’s within the workplace or personal life; and even if it’s not your favorite cheese, or if you’re like me, and don’t like the taste of cheese, there’s always something new to discover on the menu if you’re willing to explore. Smell the cheese often so you’ll know when it’s getting old. You are free to fly!

Thanks for reading! Here’s a little something extra: Who Moved My Cheese? The Movie. It’s an older video, about 15 minutes long, a bit grainy but the message is clear.

Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

"Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes."

-Hugh Prather (1938 – 2010)

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