Book review: Who Moved My Cheese?

Information Management Journal, Mar/Apr 2002 by Hubbard, Susan A

TITLE: Who Moved My Cheese? AUTHOR: Spencer Johnson, M.D. ISBN: 0-3991-44463

PUBLISHER: Putnam Pub Group

PUBLICATION DATE: 1998

LENGTH: 94 pages

PRICE: $19.95 (paperbook)

SOURCE: Any major bookstore or Amazon.com

Is it the fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or complacence and reluctance to move outside our comfort zone that makes many of us resistant to change? The premise of Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, M.D., is that change is constant and inevitable. Rather than manage change itself, one must modify behavior toward change.

The book is divided into a foreword and three sections. In Section 1, "A Gathering," several in a reunion of former classmates discuss dealing with change in their lives. Section 2, "The Story," is the core of the book. Section 3 returns to the classmates who are finding real-life applications for the new insights gleaned from the story.

The foreword by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph. D., who co-authored The One Minute Manager with Johnson, sets up the story by defining terms and characters: "Cheese" is a "metaphor for what you want in life, whether it is a job, relationship, money, a big house, freedom, health, recognition, spiritual peace, or even an activity like jogging or golf. The 'maze' in the story represents where you spend time looking for what you want. It can be the organization you work in, the community you live in, or the relationships you have in your life."

The cast of characters includes two mice, Sniff and Scurry, who are given human character traits and actions, and two "little people," Hem and Haw, complete with complex emotions and belief systems. Sniff is quick to identify change. Scurry is quick to act. Hem is in eternal denial, experiencing fear of the unknown and strongly resisting any and all changes. Haw learns to adapt to change once he sees the benefits.

Reminiscent of Aesop's Fables, the tale begins with Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw in their daily jog to the maze in search of cheese, only to discover one day that their cheese has disappeared. The reaction of the characters lends itself to comparisons with our own family's and/or co-workers' reactions when experiencing change.

Johnson uses the story to describe the desired behavior patterns for dealing with change. The first concept is that change will occur regardless of what one does or doesn't do. He then points out the difference between activity and productivity. After recognizing that change will happen, one should learn to anticipate change. To aid in the anticipation, develop an awareness of when conditions are ripe for change, become participatory versus reactionary, take action, and initiate change rather than wait for it to happen. Learning to adapt quickly to change means letting go of old ideas and embracing new ones.

Among the tools Johnson suggests for avoiding the stress and fear that often paralyze people are

* Visualizing one's self at the end of a goal

* Discovering the journey to find new cheese can be enjoyable and looked upon as an adventure

* Asking the question, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" This enables people to see past their fears and focus on their actions, even when in uncharted territory.

The book is easily read in about 20 minutes and offers both an entertaining and thought-provoking way for people to review their own behavior toward change. Johnson, a renowned psychologist with a number of bestsellers to his credit, is famous for taking complex subjects and presenting simple solutions. If, however, people read Johnson's "One Minute Series," (The One Minute Manger, The One Minute Father, The One Minute Teacher, etc.) and found them to be overly simplistic and full of pop-psychology hype designed primarily for profit, then Who Moved My Cheese? will probably not suit their tastes either.

Who Moved My Cheese? transcends age, gender, job title, and experience levels. It is available in book form, videocassette, or as a program complete with guides and workbooks.

Susan A. Hubbard, CRM, is an Assistant Vice President for Ascent Management, Inc. She may be contacted at hubbards@ascentassurance.com.