Center for Organizational and Relational Excellence ©2007

The “Who Moved My Cheese”

Change Agent Model

Prepared by Jim Messina, Ph.D.

Who Are YOU as an Agent of Change?

“Who Moved My Cheese” modelFour personalities of handling change

Importance of being proactive

Ability to recognize change

The Maze of Change!

1st Set of Agents of Change: Sniff & Scurry

SNIFF – Seeks change earlySCURRY – Moves in to action quickly

Two mice that were very active and ready for change once they entered the Maze

They never got comfortable with their environment

They were not afraid to explore the unknown

They did not make false assumptions or over analyze

2nd Set of Agents of Change: Hem & Haw

HEM – Denies change because it might lead to something worse

HAW – Learns to adapt in time because he realizes it will lead to something better

Two intelligent little people who can rationalize

Their human tendencies made them become complacent and comfortable

“Having cheese makes you happy.”

Hem & Haw’s Stuckness

Their arrogance clouded their judgment – The cheese was their Security & Status

They were unprepared for the changes happening around them

“The more important your cheese is to you the more you want to hold on to it.”

Hem & Haw’s Flaws

• They spent a lot of time over-analyzing and blaming each other

• They confused activity with productivity

“If you do not change, you can become extinct.”

Haw Woke Up!

Haw took action – he realized that they were never going to put yesterdays cheese back – It was time to find new cheese –

IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON! Haw was scared but it was

manageable – he knew some fear was good

Haw Woke Up!

He imagined finding the cheese to help overcome his fears

Haw realized change wasn’t so bad – he was taking control of his destiny

“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

Haw Moved Forward!

Haw was making small advancements which was better than being in a “Cheeseless situation”

He looked back at the situation & realized all along change was happening – the cheese was becoming old, stale & depleted

Haw had been blinded by arrogance & complacency

“Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.”

Haw Committed to Change!

Haw realized if he had moved earlier it would have been easier to find the cheese

From now on he would stay more alert Haw would not let himself get

comfortable again

“Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.”

Haw Let Go of His Fears!

Many times Haw felt like giving up – he was still weighed down by fearful beliefs

Haw was finally able to move beyond his fears – he was free of the past

He breathed a new life full of energy

“When you move beyond your fear, you feel free.”

Haw Imagined the Change!

Haw imagined finding the cheese to help overcome his fears

He revisited Hem & realized what he enjoyed was not the cheese, but it was the process of discovery

Looking ahead became more & more exciting

“Imagining myself enjoying new cheese even before I find it, leads me to it.”

Haw Let Go of Old Beliefs!

Haw realized that new beliefs were encouraging new behaviors

“When you change what you believe, you change what you do.”

“The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.”

Haw Took Risk to Change!

Haw realized that what he was afraid of was never as bad as what he imagined

He looked forward to finding new cheese

“It is safer to search in the maze than remain in a cheeseless situation.”

Haw Let Go of Old Thinking!

• Haw used to think about what could go wrong rather than what could go right

• He realized he had to expect change because it is continuous

“Old beliefs do not lead you to new cheese.”

Haw woke up to Reality as it is!

Haw now realized he would have been in better shape if he had dealt with change sooner.

“When you see that you can find and enjoy new cheese, you change course.”

Haw succeeds in Finding New Cheese by Changing!

Haw discovers Cheese Station N the source of the new cheese after he has taken the risk to change his beliefs & to imagine a new reality with new cheese!

“Noticing small changes early helps you adapt to the bigger changes that are to come.”

Hurray for Change!!!

What was the Cheese in this Story?

Cheese is a metaphor for what you want in life

Good job Loving relationship Money Health Spiritual peace

What is the Maze in this Story?

The Maze is where you look for what you want in your:

Work Family Community

Why is it Important to be a Sniff or a Scurry?

Importance of being a Sniff or a Scurry

Keep life simple, do not over analyze Be flexible & open-minded to progression Adapt to change easier and faster See little changes so YOU are ready for larger ones Be ahead of business cycle Remember - Tomorrow is not promised to anyone –

especially us Use the past to plan the future Imagine what YOU want

Change from a Personal & Business Perspective

Change is happening constantly – YOU are either moving with it or being passed by

It keeps YOU young & active Change is about learning & growing YOU will be able to ride the business

cycle longer if YOU are adaptable Change is about controlling YOUR fear

The Handwriting on the Wall

Change Happens They Keep Moving the Cheese

Anticipate Change Get Ready for the Cheese to Move

Monitor Change Smell the Cheese Often so You Know When

it is Getting Old Adapt to Change Quickly

The Quicker You Let Go of Old Cheese, the Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese

The Handwriting on the Wall

Change Move With the Cheese

Enjoy Change! Savor the Adventure & Enjoy the

Taste Of New Cheese! Be Ready to Change Quickly &

Enjoy It Again & Again They Keep Moving the Cheese

“Move With the Cheese And Enjoy

It!”

Summary

Four personalities of handling change & the importance of being proactive

Being able to recognize change & welcome it!

Be aware of the “Handwriting on the Wall”

References

Spencer Johnson, M.D. (1998). Who Moved My Cheese? An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life. New York: Penguin Putnam.

Who Moved My Cheese? Website: http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/