Who Moved My Cheese?

In the business world, change is inevitable. Market dynamics shift, consumer preferences evolve, and new technologies disrupt established business models and processes (see Digital Transformation done right). As a leader, the challenge is not just recognising change, but managing it in a way that your team embraces it rather than resists it. A revealing guide to understanding how people react to change is Spencer Johnson’s classic ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ In this blog post, we’ll explore key insights from the book that can help leaders ensure the success of their change projects.

Understanding what motivates people

In Spencer Johnson’s parable, there are two mice (‘Sniff’ and ‘Scurry’) who live in a maze together with two dwarfs named ‘Hum’ and ‘Haw’. An unknown hand feeds all four creatures with cheese in the same place every day. But one day there is no more cheese there. While the mice immediately set off on a search for new cheese in the maze, the dwarfs hesitate. They cling to their old habits, hoping that the old cheese will come back.

It is no coincidence that Spencer Johnson named his procrastinating dwarfs after the English phrase ‘hum and haw’. That is exactly what they do when confronted with the big change. Only very late does one of the dwarfs (Haw) pluck up the courage to take action.

For leaders, the cheese metaphor is a powerful reminder that people have different motivations and reactions when faced with change. Understanding this is crucial to effectively managing change projects. .

Anticipating change and adapting quickly

In dealing with the change, Haw identifies six insights that he writes down for his colleague. They are:

1. Be brave!
2. Be alert to recognise impending changes!
3. Don’t be driven, but leave your comfort zone and take action!
4. Dare to try something new and quickly let go of old cheese so you can find new one faster.
5. Rather search for a solution in a labyrinth than remain idle!
6. Be open to new ideas, because old beliefs won’t lead you to new cheese!

Leaders who help their teams anticipate change – whether through regular communication, strategic planning or encouraging flexibility – foster a culture that embraces transitions rather than resisting them. As Spencer Johnson points out, ‘The sooner you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese.’ For leaders, this also means being transparent about why change is needed and what the benefits are.

Overcoming fear: a key role for leaders

Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to managing change. However, it is important for leaders to recognise that fear is a natural reaction. By addressing it openly and offering support, leaders can help people overcome their discomfort.

Leaders can have a significant impact by creating an environment where questions are welcomed and concerns are addressed. Providing training, encouraging open discussion and celebrating small wins during the transition can help individuals become more confident.

Change is a journey, not a destination

The journey through the maze in ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ serves as an accurate metaphor for organisational change – it is continuous and unpredictable. Managers need to think of change not as a one-time event, but as a continuous process. Resilience and adaptability are not just individual traits – they can also be fostered within a culture. Managers play a crucial role in instilling this way of thinking by showing their teams that change is part of growth and not a threat to stability.

Conclusion: leading through the maze

‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ offers a simple yet powerful lesson: change is inevitable, but how we respond to it determines our success. For leaders, managing change projects professionally means understanding human behaviour, anticipating and preparing for change, addressing fears, and fostering an adaptive culture. By applying these lessons, leaders can transform what often feels like a frightening maze into an opportunity for growth and success.

Remember: the cheese may be moving, but the real goal is to guide your team safely through the maze.