STAGE

Anticipating Change

R OT FRO OF SPENCE N E TY PROP

PL AM

OPY EC
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RT IN USE JOHNSON PA R

G ININ S TRA ER

The Worlds 1 Way To Deal With Change

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Taking New Actions Now

Gaining Change Skills

Moving Beyond Fear

Imagining Real Success

Helping Organizations Achieve Their Most Important Change

A Training Program To Help Individuals Gain Change Skills Based On The Worlds #1 Bestselling Book On Change.
Every once in a while a book comes along that opens a door to the future. This book has had that effect on me.
David A. Heenan, Board Member PETER F. DRUCKER MANAGEMENT CENTER

Spencer Johnsons unique insights and storytelling make this a rare book that can be read and understood quickly by everyone who wants to do well in these changing times.
Randy Harris, Former Vice-Chairman MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL

This book is a simple, understandable road map for us to use as we deal with our own individual circumstances around change.
Michael Morley, Senior Vice President EASTMAN KODAK

Helping Organizations Achieve Their Most Important Change

Who Moved My Cheese? Training Edition 1 Who Moved My Cheese? Training copyright 2006 Spencer Johnson, M.D. All rights reserved. No unauthorized duplication or distribution permitted. Who Moved My Cheese? and the four characters are trademarks of Spencer Johnson, M.D.

The Who Moved My Cheese? Phenomenon!

The story of Who Moved My Cheese? was created
by Dr. Spencer Johnson to help him deal with a difficult change. It showed him that while it was important to take his changing situation seriously, he didnt need to take himself so seriously.

Two decades after the story was created, Who Moved

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My Cheese? was finally published as a book. It soon became a #1 international bestseller, with one million hardcover copies in print in the first sixteen months and over ten million copies printed within the next two years.

The Cheese Story has spread around the world in many

foreign languages. It has helped millions of people improve their careers, businesses, and even their health. Some critics do not understand why so many people find the book so valuable. They say the story is simple enough for a child to understand, and it insults their intelligence.

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The author has commented that both the fans and the

critics are right in their own way. It is not what is in the story but how you interpret it and apply it to your own situation that gives it value.

Hopefully the way you interpret the story of Who

Moved My Cheese? and put it into action in your life will help you find and enjoy the New Cheese you deserve.

The Worlds
STAGE

1 Way To Deal With Change

STAGE

Preparing For Change

Gaining Change Skills

STAGE

Achieving A Change

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Using simple principles and practical ideas from the most widely read book on change, Who Moved My Cheese?, Spencer Johnson Partners helps individuals succeed with organizational change in three stages: STAGE 1: Preparing For Change Who Moved My Cheese? The Movie STAGE 2: Gaining Change Skills The Training Program STAGE 3: Achieving A Change The Team Process

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You are here

Table Of Contents

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Gaining Change Skills That Help You Succeed In Changing Times

Where You Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Discovering Your Current Change Skills

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Sniff: Skill #1 Anticipating Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Sniffing out what will most likely happen next

Scurry: Skill #2 Taking New Actions Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Scurrying into action to get new results

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Hem: Skill #3 Moving Beyond Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Recognizing fear and moving beyond it

Haw: Skill #4 Imagining Real Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Imagining real success leads you to it

Bringing It Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Using Your Change Skills To Succeed

People who have good change skills, that really help their company change and succeed, are the most valuable and secure people in the company, because they are the ones who are most needed in changing times.

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Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Welcome!

Gaining Change Skills That Help You Succeed In Changing Times

elcome to the Who Moved My Cheese? Training program! It is based on the worlds most widely read book on change one that has helped millions of people find something better for themselves.

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Although change is happening everywhere, most people dont

think about change itself. They think about work. They think about life and things happening at home. Whether or not were aware of it, change plays a large role in all of our lives.

The purpose of todays training is to take a closer look at

change, understand it better, and gain skills to help you face change with less stress and more success.

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Four Change Skills

In todays changing times, there are four Change Skills that
people around the world are using to deal with change with less stress. These skills are easy to understand and anyone can put them to good use.

The following examples introduce the skills you can develop

throughout this program, and use for your success. Sniff: Skill #1 Anticipating Change

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You work closely with someone in manufacturing to fill your

customers orders. This person keeps saying, You dont listen when I talk to you about meeting deadlines. They become less responsive to your written requests and harder to get a hold of. You continue to assure your customers their orders will arrive as scheduled. Are you surprised one day when you fail to meet your top customers deadline and they threaten to stop doing business with you? Scurry: Skill #2 Taking New Actions Now

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Your boss has requested that you launch a new product

immediately. As usual, you brainstorm, research, and hold meetings after meetings working on the details. When your team finally begins working on the prototype, your competitor announces the successful launch of a similar product and the opportunity for your company is gone. What do you think happened, or didnt happen?

Hem: Skill #3 Moving Beyond Fear

A new automated system at work will now perform a majority

of your tasks. The skills youve developed over the years may no longer be needed. You repeatedly say how unfair it is. You feel angry and stressed about the change. What would be different if you stopped and asked yourself, What would I do if I werent afraid? What would it lead you to do differently?

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Haw: Skill #4 Imagining Real Success

After experiencing rapid growth, your company is expanding

into new markets. Your department has the responsibility of opening several new office locations. There seems to be so much to do and little time to do it. People are working harder than ever with more stress to perform. How could imagining success in this situation affect how you feel and what you do?

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The Movie

Who Moved My Cheese? Discovering Four Change Skills

he value of the movie you are about to see lies in what you take away from it. Some people may view it as a silly cartoon, while others will look closer to find what will help them succeed.

As the story unfolds, you may begin to recognize the different

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Entire Group

Change Skills each of the four characters represents. Which Skills will you see in the movie that could be most useful to you? Watch Who Moved My Cheese? The Movie 16 minutes

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Entire Group Discussion

What came to mind as you watched the movie?

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Entire Group

Entire Group Activity

What did you notice about the characters?

Sniff (Anticipating Change):

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Scurry (Taking New Actions Now):

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Hem (Moving Beyond Fear):

Haw (Imagining Real Success):

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The most useful way to find what we need in a changing situation is to change within ourselves and find something better.

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Spencer Johnson, M.D.

Where You Stand

Discovering Your Current Change Skills

he four characters from the movie Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw represent the simple and complex parts of ourselves. Sometimes we may act like Sniff who sniffs out change early, Scurry who goes into action soon, Hem who does not move beyond his fear, or Haw who learns to adapt in time when he sees that changing can lead to something better.

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Whichever parts of us we choose to use, we all share

something in common: a need to find our way in the maze and succeed in changing times!

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Entire Group

Entire Group Activity

The Four Parts Of All Of Us

While watching this brief video, you may enjoy noticing how
each character could represent the different parts of all of us. Video Clip: Parts Of All Of Us

Understanding Your Own Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw

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Throughout the room youll notice posters of Sniff, Scurry,

Hem, and Haw. In a changing situation, which

character would a close friend say you act most like?

If you anticipate change more than most people, you may want to stand by Sniff.

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If you love going into action and getting things done, you could move over by Scurry.

If you arent sure that change is always a good idea, you could join the group by Hem. If you are reluctant to change, but realize the potential advantage of changing, join the group by Haw.

Now that youve selected a character and joined the other

people at the corresponding poster, share your thoughts on what scares and excites that character about change. You can use the following page to write down your ideas.

Small Group Discussion

What scares and excites you about change?

Sniff
What scares you the most about change?

What excites you the most about change?

Scurry

What scares you the most about change?

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Hem Haw

What excites you the most about change?

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What scares you the most about change?

What excites you the most about change?

What scares you the most about change?

What excites you the most about change?

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Discovering Your Change Skills Discovering Your Current Change

Skills

Individual Exercise

Your Change Skills

The following questionnaire will help you determine

your current level of Change Skills, including your change readiness, anticipation, and energy.

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Complete the Change Statements

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This exercise takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

AN A-MAZING CHANGE PROFILE

Discovering Your Change Type

Change Statements: Agree or Disagree?

Instructions:
Use the enclosed answer sheet to indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with each statement below. Please read the instructions on the answer sheet before you circle your responses. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. People would say I am generally set in my ways. I often wish my life would just stay the same. I find it easy to change my ways if I need to. I am fearful whenever Im faced with making a decision that could change my life. I always look forward to what the next day will bring. I am usually skeptical of new opportunities. I avoid situations in which I am unfamiliar with the people and the surroundings. If I have a problem to solve, I spend time thinking about all possible solutions before taking action. Sometimes I try to solve a problem without all of the information I need. People who know me would say I am fast-paced and on the go. Compared to others, Im usually the last to accept major changes that occur at work or at home. I have difficulty adapting to new or changing situations. I believe people have little control over the changes that occur in their lives. When a major change is about to occur at work or in my life, I often worry about what might happen to me. I look forward to changes occurring in my life. I like to seek out new challenges and opportunities. I actively look for ways to make positive changes or improvements at work. I see life as a constant adventure that should be explored. I have a knack for anticipating major changes before they actually happen. 20. I tend to jump at new opportunities instead of carefully exploring each alternative. 21. At work, Im usually open to trying new ways of doing something, even when the old way worked fine. 22. It is difficult for me to change my actions or opinions once I have made up my mind. 23. I think the good things that happen to people are mostly a matter of luck. 24. I usually feel quite confident when trying something new. 25. Its hard to look for the best in life when so many things go wrong. 26. Once I find something I like to do, I rarely keep my eye out for something better. 27. I believe that once I achieve my ultimate goal, I will be able to relax and enjoy it indefinitely. 28. I prefer a stable life over one that is constantly changing. 29. I am usually among the first to notice when a major change is about to occur. 30. I am more spontaneous than conservative. 31. I find it easy to adapt to a new environment. 32. I prefer to keep my schedule flexible. 33. I think people can almost always influence the good or bad things that happen to them. 34. I usually feel anxious or nervous when faced with a problem. 35. When changes occur in my life, I try to look for something good to come out of them. 36. I like to read about new things. 37. With respect to making changes or improvements, I tend to agree with the statement If it aint broke, dont fix it.

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15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 2

Copyright 2000 by Spencer Johnson, M.D. & Right Management Consultants This Change Profile may not be reproduced without written permission.

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Discovering Your Change Skills ((contd )) Discovering Your Change Skills contd
Discovering Your Change Type

AN A-MAZING CHANGE PROFILE

Change Statements: Agree or Disagree?

Continued

38. I value stability in life. 39. I am able to notice subtle changes in my surroundings. 40. When faced with a problem, I try to gather as much information as I can.

41. I am most comfortable when my life is stable. 42. I find it easy to adjust to new surroundings (e.g., a new office, a new neighborhood). 43. I feel as if problems always seem to find me. 44. Even when my life is chaotic, I remain calm and focused. 45. I often predict that things will turn out for the worse but later realize they worked out better than I had expected. 46. When in a new place, I like to explore my surroundings. 47. I believe that when things are working well, there is no reason to change anything. 48. I agree with the saying Variety is the spice of life. 49. When I walk into a familiar room, I can tell immediately if something has changed. 50. Information is often the key to problem solving. 51. I have difficulty bouncing back from major changes that occur in my life. 52. I dont usually mind when a situation Im involved in starts to change in some way. 53. When good things happen to me, its usually because of my hard work. 54. I feel comfortable in ambiguous or uncertain situations. 55. When I think about the future, I tend to focus on the difficulties that Ill have to face. 56. I enjoy learning about new things.

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57. I think its important to experience everything I can in order to get the most out of life. 58. I believe most people would benefit from trying new things. 59. When I'm faced with problems in my life, I can easily think of several ways to solve the problem. 60. I often act before thinking. 61. I prefer my surroundings to be familiar and predictable rather than varied and changing. 62. I tend to become attached to my surroundings, which makes it difficult for me to change. 63. When something is about to go wrong, there is usually little I can do to stop it. 64. I get upset when things dont go as planned. 65. I feel unhappy when I think about the future. 66. I look for new ways of accomplishing my tasks at home or at work. 67. I often long for the way things used to be. 68. I believe change is inevitable and should be accepted. 69. Change usually takes me by surprise. 70. Before making an important decision, I try to think through all possible outcomes. This is the end of the Change Statements!

After you have circled all of your answers on the enclosed scoring sheet, remove the white answer sheet to reveal the yellow scoring sheet. Scoring instructions are provided on the scoring sheet.

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Copyright 2000 by Spencer Johnson, M.D. & Right Management Consultants This Change Profile may not be reproduced without written permission.

AN A-MAZING CHANGE PROFILE

Discovering Your Change Type

Plotting Your Change Profile Scores

Instructions: 1) Place the numbers in the eight shapes from your answer sheet into the eight matching shapes on this page. 2) In the graphs next to each shape, find your score for each shape on the white (top) row. 3) Circle the matching number in the shaded (bottom) row. 4) Write the number you circled in the shaded row on the line to the right of each of the FIRST SIX GRAPHS. 5) Add the number in the six lines to the right of the graphs and place the total in the triangle shape below. 6) In the graph to the left of the triangle, find and circle your score on the white (top) row and the shaded bottom row. 7) The bottom three graphs show whether you scored as Hem or Haw (Change Readiness), Lower Sniff or Higher Sniff (Change Anticipation), and Lower Scurry or Higher Scurry (Change Energy). Go to the next page when completed.

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Enter shade row number here

Copyright 2000 by Spencer Johnson, M.D. & Right Management without 4 When you have finished plotting your scores, refer to theConsultants This Change Profile may not be reproducedlearn written permission. charts on the following pages to more .

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Interpreting Your Scores

AN A-MAZING CHANGE PROFILE
Discovering Your Change Type

Interpreting Your Sniff and Scurry Scores

Change Skills

Change Anticipation (Sniff)

Lower Sniff You are less able to notice early changes in your environment.

You do not typically initiate conversations about ways to improve a situation.

You are more present-oriented and are less able to prepare for forthcoming change.

You rely on others to think about what needs to be done to prepare for the future. You are less likely to see and appreciate opportunities for future change.

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Lower Scurry

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Higher Sniff

Your radar is often on, as you notice or predict potential changes in your environment. You often look for signs of forthcoming change and are able to prepare effectively for change. You focus on tomorrows possibilities more than todays needs. You see change as an improvement and cant always understand why others dont see it. You create enthusiasm for the benefit of change.

Change Energy (Scurry)

Higher Scurry You are able to react and initiate change quickly. Your strength is that you can take action quickly when dealing with new or changing situations. You may appear impulsive if you are not focused on only the few important changes that are needed. If you are not careful, you can initiate too many changes for most people to absorb. You approach new activities with energy and enthusiasm that can help you change in time. You are not as likely to initiate change. You tend to take a slow, methodical approach when faced with new or changing situations. You avoid taking action in new, unfamiliar ways. You are likely to look around to see if others are changing and notice what happens to them first before actually changing yourself. You usually do not react as quickly as you need to in changing situations.

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Copyright 2000 by Spencer Johnson, M.D. & Right Management Consultants This Change Profile may not be reproduced without written permission.

Discovering Your Change Type

AN A-MAZING CHANGE PROFILE

Interpreting Your Hem and Haw Scores

Change Readiness

The goal of scoring and plotting your Change Profile results is to discover your level of Change Readiness and Change Skills to help you succeed in changing times. The tables below provide a more detailed description of some of the typical qualities of individuals who are either low or high on the various Change Profile characteristics. If your scores on any of the graphs were closer to the middle,you are likely to share some of the qualities of both types of individuals.

Change Readiness (Overall and Component Scores Hem - Haw)

Flexibility: You may take a conservative stance and resist opportunities.You may have difficulty accepting, adapting, and adjusting to change.

Perceived Control: You may perceive that you have little control over outcomes (what happens to you) in your life.You may believe in fate and feel a lack of control over changes in your life.

Steadiness: You may yearn for stability.Your typical reaction to change may be to seek safety and security. Your typical emotional reaction to changing situations or potential changes may be characterized by anxiety, fear, and/or tension. Optimism: You have a cautious outlook toward change opportunities and the future in general.You may be pessimistic about change. Change Seeking: You prefer stable, predictable situations.You may not seek out opportunities for personal or external changes in life.You like things the way they are or the way they were. Change Comfort: You believe that if a situation is comfortable and familiar, there is no reason to change it.

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Lower Change Readiness (Hem) Less prepared to accept, initiate, and manage change

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Higher Change Readiness (Haw) More prepared to accept, initiate, and manage change

Flexibility: You accept changes and are able to adapt easily when change occurs.You may be accommodating and flexible when presented with positive change opportunities.

Perceived Control: You perceive that you have control over outcomes (what happens to you) in your life.You may believe you can choose change opportunities and manage changes in your life.

Steadiness: Your steadiness is your ability to change as situations change. The situations may not be steady but your adaptive response is. Your typical emotional reaction, compared to most people, is that you are confident, calm, and have a steady nature when faced with change. Optimism: You are generally optimistic and have a positive outlook about change and its many opportunities and about the future in general. Change Seeking: You may seek out opportunities for personal or external changes.You enjoy variety.You may tend to look for change just for the sake of changing. Change Comfort: You believe change is desirable and value change over stability.You are uncomfortable if things dont improve. 5

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Copyright 2000 by Spencer Johnson, M.D. & Right Management Consultants This Change Profile may not be reproduced without written permission.

Interpreting Your Scores

Change Skills
Your change scores from page 19 can be recorded in the shapes below. Next,
summarize your scores by circling where you landed on each change scale.

My Score is:
On the Change Readiness scale, I scored closer to:
(Circle one) Hem or Haw

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On the Change Anticipation scale, I scored closer to:

(Circle one) Low Sniff or High Sniff

On the Change Energy scale, I scored closer to:

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(Circle one) Low Scurry or High Scurry

Partner Discussion

What did you learn about yourself?

What did you discover about your change readiness,

anticipation, and energy?

What did you find most useful about what you learned?

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When you anticipate change, and prepare for it, you feel more in control, and are not as stressed by it.

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Spencer Johnson, M.D.