Who Moved the Cheese

Essay by bobbiemUniversity, Master'sA+, July 2004

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I think the book is relevant to the study of strategic leadership.

The story is very easy to follow and to understand. It is relatively

simple to make comparisons between the characters in the story

and the people I know. The decisions that Hem and Haw must

make while looking for "new cheese" in the maze is comparable to

the decisions that people must make in their everyday life. It tells

a story about being aware of changes taking place and doing work

today and not waiting for tomorrow.

The books primary thesis deals with how people adapt to

changes in their environment. According to Blanchard, sometimes

people may act like Sniff, Scurry, Hem, or Haw. Sniff sniffs out

change early. Scurry scurries into action. Hem denies and resists

change as he fears it will lead to something worse and Haw learns

to adapt in time when he sees changing can lead to something

better. (p.12) The "maze" in the story can represent the

organization you work in, the community you live in, or the

relationships you have. I think that the book sends the reader a

clear message of the choices a person has to make when faced with

changes in their environment. Our highly competitive

environment forces organizations to constantly change. Change

happens all of the time and is a part of nature. One must be aware

of change and ready to act upon the effects of change. This is the

only way to maintain personal stability and manage stress both at

home and in the workplace. Stay flexible and watchful, recognize

new opportunities and take advantage of them when they are

available.

The contents of the book can be directly integrated into the

workplace. I think any company has several Sniff, Scurry, Hem

and Haw types of...