Adapting to Change: Who Moved my Cheese?
Adaptability and flexibility came up in a recent mentoring session and I recommended Who Moved My Cheese, a book that’s all about embracing change. It’s easy to read, and cheese is a great metaphor for any change we’re navigating.
Soon after starting my first IT job, my new team and I were scheduled for a workshop titled: Who Moved My Cheese. The workshop was based on the book, written by Spencer Johnson. We were each given a copy of the book and asked to read it to prepare for the workshop, and as I’m a bookworm and always eager to learn, I did my reading. This really set the tone for my approach to navigating change in technology, and life in general, and I am grateful for these lessons on a regular basis.
Technology evolves quickly, bringing changes not just to systems but also to team processes, structures, and collaboration methods. Times of change can feel chaotic or confusing, and there may be some resistance to the changes. I see IT folx as the heralds of change, the professional cheese movers, and as such embracing change is an important component of being a good team player and leader.
Since technology is constantly changing and evolving, when you work in technology you’re working in an environment that is always on the move. We humans like our comfort zones because they are comfortable, we know how to navigate the system, we have experience to draw from and feel more capable of handling issues that come up. Change kicks us out of our comfort zones and forces us to work differently, learn, and grow. Whether it’s learning new technology, changing from waterfall to agile project methodologies, moving into a new role, adapting to a change to the team’s working structure, or the other changes that come around, it will mean adapting to the new way of working. Most recently we’ve seen a lot of layoffs that have taken place in the technology industry and other big changes.
Our mindset and approach to change makes a huge difference both in our performance and well being. One important point that Who Moved My Cheese makes is that on the other side of change things can be so much better than we thought when we were in a place of resistance and fear of the unknown. The present may be ok, but what if it could be great and this change is an invitation to that new space?
Photo of cover of the book Who Moved My Cheese?
In IT I considered myself a professional cheese mover. One important part of my role was helping people understand and adapt to the changes my team was making. As a coach, I take a step back and I help people move their own cheese and if I’m being a good coach I’m also helping them to learn to move their cheese on their own.
Tips to embrace change:
Read Who Moved My Cheese - it’s an older book but still relevant and an easy read (warning, it may give you a cheese craving)
Apply Self Compassion - change is hard and we may encounter our insecurities, fears, or anxiety and this is part of being human. Take a moment to acknowledge that this is hard and use some self compassion exercises to work through this. Find some self compassion practices to weave into your day here, and to apply in the workplace here.
Practice flexibility by making changes to your routine, trying new things, and stepping out of your comfort zone
Journal for reflection and to help process challenges
Reflect on how you resist change and be curious about what you can do differently to be more open to it
Are you or your team navigating a big change? Coaching can provide a support system for big changes and help increase success. Schedule a discovery call with me to discuss the changes you’re navigating and how coaching can help.