The “Who Moved My Cheese”
Change Agent Model
Prepared by Jim Messina, Ph.D.
Center for Organizational and Relational Excellence ©2007
Who Are YOU as an Agent
of Change?
“Who Moved My Cheese” model
 Four 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 early
SCURRY – Moves in to action quickly
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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!
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Haw was scared but it was manageable –
he knew some fear was good
Haw Woke Up!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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•
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!
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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!
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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?
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Who Moved My Cheese? Website:
http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/