Who Moved My Cheese?

As you might be aware, one of the books this year’s mentees will be studying is the hugely influential Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. First published in 1998, Who Moved My Cheese? addresses the concept of dealing with change through a witty parable that compares the behaviour of mice and ‘Littlepeople’ - beings that look and think like people, but are the size of mice.

When the cheese the mice (Sniff and Scurry) and Littlepeople (Hem and Haw) depend on suddenly disappears form Cheese Station C, the two sets of characters react very differently. Having previously noticed the supply of cheese dwindling, Sniff and Scurry simply pack up their things and leave to find new cheese. Hem and Haw however, are determined to get to the bottom of the issue and try many different things to try and get ‘their’ cheese back. The story follows Haw, who eventually leaves Cheese Station C after realising that complaining about having not having cheese isn’t going to make the cheese come back, or get him any answers. See here for a more detailed synopsis of the book (as well as some criticism).

Who Moved My Cheese? is a truly enlightening story that explains very simply how to change your perspective on change in a way that makes it seem less threatening. It is a must read for anyone – change is inevitable no matter who you are, so why not learn to make it a platform for innovation and success?

There are editions for teens and for children, and even an award winning movie, so everyone can relate to the story and learn from the simple lessons that it puts forward.

If you have not read the book and would like to, you can find copies at all major bookstores. For more information about the books and the movie, you can also see the Who Moved My Cheese? website.

Say Cheese!!