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Happy monday, friend!

Hope your weekend was good.

Mine was filled with lots of pondering and reflection…

Which brings me to today’s topic - how do you deal with change?

As a manager, you need to handle change gracefully.

Luckily, there’s a cheesy framework that helps.

Grab your coffee ☕️ 

Let’s chat!

"Who Moved My Cheese?"

"Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes." — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

We all know change is the only constant in the world, and we should go with it.

And yet, many of us struggle to adapt when change comes knocking.

Fear, uncertainty and doubt creeps in.

We crave stability, not change.

The secret solution?

Cheese.

A Quick Look at "Who Moved My Cheese?"

For those unfamiliar, "Who Moved My Cheese?" is a motivational business fable about change by Dr Spencer Johnson.

The story follows two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two little people, Hem and Haw.

They live in a maze and eat cheese every day to survive.

The cheese symbolizes what we desire in life:

Success, happiness, stability.

Suddenly,

They are hit with a shocking change!

The cheese, which is usually in the same spot in the maze everyday, is gone!

How the four characters respond to this forms the heart of the story.

Sniff and Scurry quickly adapt, venturing into the maze to find new cheese.

Hem refuses to accept the change, clinging to the hope that the cheese will return.

Haw, initially resistant, eventually lets go and embarks on a journey to find new cheese, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Through these characters, Johnson illustrates the different ways we approach change—and offers a roadmap for navigating it successfully.

Let’s dive in and see how you can apply these insights.

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The Characters: Who Are You in the Maze?

Each character represents a distinct reaction to change:

• Sniff: Sniffs out change early, staying alert to shifts in the environment.

• Scurry: Takes immediate action, diving into new opportunities without hesitation.

• Hem: Denies change, hoping things will revert to how they were.

• Haw: Hesitates but eventually adapts, embracing the unknown with courage.

Think about your own responses to change for a moment:

Are you a Scurry, quick to act?

Or perhaps a Hem, resisting the inevitable?

Maybe you are a Sniff, always anticipating what’s next?

Or a Haw, who needs time but ultimately finds the strength to move forward?

It’s useful to understand your natural tendencies and then take steps toward mastering your response to change.

The Emotional Side of Change

We are human.

And change can stir up fear, anxiety and resistance.

Hem’s paralysis is relatable - we all want to cling to the familiar…

But this only prolongs the struggle.

The book suggests “smelling the cheese often” to know when it’s getting old. In other words, check in with yourself:

• Are you holding onto something that’s no longer working?

• Are there signs it’s time to move on?

Acknowledge your emotional response to change and seek to improve it.

Practical tips from the Maze

The beauty of "Who Moved My Cheese?" lies in its simplicity. Here are some powerful tips/lessons we can apply to our lives:

1. Change is inevitable. Just as the cheese moves, so do the things we rely on. Accepting this truth sets the foundation for resilience.

2. Anticipate change. Like Sniff, keep an eye on your surroundings—whether it’s industry trends, personal relationships, or global shifts.

3. Adapt quickly. Scurry shows us that hesitation can be costly. The sooner you act, the faster you’ll find new “cheese.”

4. Enjoy the journey. Haw’s transformation proves that change, though uncomfortable, can lead to growth and discovery.

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Become more change-ready

Thanks for joining me today, friend.

Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Scary Management newsletter.

As you do your own pondering of "Who Moved My Cheese?", ask yourself:

• Which character do I most identify with?

• What “cheese” am I chasing, and is it still there?

• How can I become more like Sniff and Scurry in my approach?

Change may be inevitable, but how we respond is up to us.

Transform uncertainty into opportunity.

If you haven’t read "Who Moved My Cheese?" yet, grab a copy—it’s a quick read packed with wisdom.

I’d love to hear from you - do you think you handle change well?

What’s your feeling about the quality of the newsletter?

What management topics are on your radar now?

Send us a rating and comments/feedback!