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Cheese Assignment

Type concise, but complete answers. Each question has a one point value, but 11 is 5 points and 12 is 4 points for a total 25 points. (Please type answers in BOLD)

1. How does Hem respond to the suggestion Haw makes to search for the cheese in the maze?

2. Was new cheese ever found? If it was, who found it? Who found it first? Which one of the characters never seriously looked for it.

3. What does it mean to “move our own cheese?”

4. Explain what it means “it works best when everyone knows the story” using management concepts we have learned in our class.

5. State the reasons the author implies why he used mice for Sniff and Scurry and people for Hem and Haw?

6. What does punching a hole in the wall of the maze represent?

7. What concepts or example(s) in management can be implemented to avoid “doing the same things over and over and wondering why things didn’t get better?”

8. Why is waiting for “them” to put the cheese back not a good idea?

9. Why is it a problem when a character refers to the cheese as “my” cheese. Relate this to our world outside the maze.

10. Spencer Johnson’s Haw character says, “Think about what you have to gain, not what you can lose.” What does this mean and determine if there is a caution related to following this advice.

11. List and explain the meanings of each of the fourteen (14) “handwritings on the wall?” (These are the sayings from pages 30-76 starting with “Having cheese makes you happy” and ending with “Move with the cheese and enjoy it.” The summary list on page 74 is not included.)(10 points)

12. Decide in each ‘bullet’ item below if the comment or behavior is attributed to Hem or to Haw. Write a paragraph or two on how the two characters approach change. (8 points)

· “Think about what you can gain, not what you can lose.”

· Taking control, not letting things happen to him.

· Realized after it was gone that the cheese was slowly disappearing and the cheese was getting old.

· Claimed “they” will have to put the cheese back.

· “Why did they do this to me?”

· “This is not the way it is supposed to be!”

· Discovered he was managing where he should have been leading.

· Must decide yourself to change.

· “We are entitled to these benefits.”

· Simplify, don’t overcomplicate.

· One should paint a picture of new cheese.

· “It’s not fair?”

· “We didn’t cause this!”

· Warned the other about getting lost looking for new cheese.

· “What’s really going on here?”

· Afraid he would make a fool of himself in the maze.

· “It’s dangerous out there!”

· Realized he cannot change others but they have to change themselves.

· Became angry and tried to find someone to blame.

· “It’s what I know.”

· Realized he was working longer and harder but not smarter.

· “We’re special!”

· Felt like he was taking two steps forward and one back.

· Refuses new cheese, wanting “his” cheese.

· “Once you change what you believe, you can change what you do.”

· “Need to laugh at yourself and move on.”

· Realized the biggest barrier to change can be you.

· Came to realize the fear you build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists.

· “We do the same things over and over and wonder why things don’t get better.”

Provide a concise, but complete answer to each question.

13. How does Hem characterize the situation when discovering his cheese is moved?

14. What is meant by Sniff and Scurry keeping their running shoes untied, wrapped around their neck? What happened to Hem and Haw’s running shoes? Relate this with the world outside the maze.

15. Compare and contrast how one might motivate Hem to change and to accept change relative to motivating Haw to change and accept change.

16. Name an idea you think is important from the book and why did you find it important or useful.

17. Name and explain an idea least useful to you. List and explain the idea or advice from the book that you think needs to be challenged or questioned.

18. With which character did you identify? Why? Have your thoughts on change been influenced?