Who Moved My Cheese? | Book Club
Feb 07, 2025
Book Title: Who Moved My Cheese?
Author: Spencer Johnson, MD
Date: January 30, 2025
Book Summary
Who Moved My Cheese? is a short yet powerful story about change. Four beings (Hem, Haw, Sniff, and Scurry) live in a maze and spend their time searching for and eating cheese. All four have different relationship with the cheese, and each respond differently to adversity and changes in the maze. Sniff and Scurry are mice who spend their time chasing the cheese no matter what it takes. They don't analyze or judge; they just move with the cheese. Hem and Haw are humanlike beings. They have emotions and higher thinking. Their relationship with cheese is far from superficial; it's part of their identity. Hem and Haw get emotionally attached to the cheese, the succumb to feelings of entitlement and rely on it for pleasure in life. Worst of all, they take it for granted and become complacent with their cheese. When the cheese runs out Hem, Haw, Sniff, and Scurry each respond differently. Sniff and scurry simply put their head down and run off in search of new cheese. Hem is crippled by a sense of entitlement and unwillingness to change. Haw takes awhile but eventually decides to venture into the maze in search of new cheese. The book follows him along his journey and highlights the many lessons about change that he learns along the way.
Discussion Questions
1. What change in healthcare are you most afraid of?
2. What convenience do you take for granted that would most derail you if disrupted?
3. What's the most important thing we need to leave behind to move forward in healthcare? As physicians?
Action Items
1. Discover what you would do if you weren't afraid.
2. Help others do the same by sharing your journey.
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