Authors:
Spencer Johnson, MD (1938-2017) – Physician, leadership expert, and author of The One Minute Manager (with Kenneth Blanchard). His books have sold over 50 million copies.
Kenneth Blanchard – Management guru and author of The One Minute Manager. Focuses on simple, actionable leadership principles.
Key Insights:
This timeless business fable uses a simple story to teach profound lessons about adapting to change:
The Parable:
Two mice (Sniff & Scurry) and two "little people" (Hem & Haw) live in a maze, relying on cheese for happiness.
When the cheese disappears:
Sniff & Scurry quickly search for new cheese.
Hem resists change, while Haw learns to adapt.
4 Key Lessons:
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’s aging)
Adapt Quickly (The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you enjoy new cheese)
Work & Life Applications:
Career changes, relationships, and personal growth all require letting go of fear.
"What would you do if you weren’t afraid?"