Leadership: An Inside Look With Dr. Spencer Johnson by Iris

Leadership: An Inside Look With Dr. Spencer Johnson by Iris - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson is a short novel about a group of people reunited for their high school reunion. They are all interested in learning about each other’s lives and discuss what each has accomplished since their graduation. They all notice how each of them has changed throughout the years and talk about how even though their situations may have changed, they themselves sometimes do not. One classmate then brings up a story that he has read that helped him cope with change within his company. He mentions how this story not only helped him get through the near loss of his company, but also how he learned to become an effective leader. At his friends request, he begins to tell the story of "Who Moved My Cheese?".

The story is about four characters, two mice named Sniff and Scurry, and two small human beings named Hem and Haw who live in a maze. This maze is a representation of the barriers they must pass in order to get what they want. Each of these four is on a mission to find their “cheese”, which symbolizes whatever it is that they wish to accomplish. Sniff, Scurry, Hem, and Haw also represent different types of personalities that people tend to have when faced with an issue. Sniff and Scurry deal better when faced with change while Hem does not like it at all and refuses to adapt to it. Haw on the other hand does not understand how to deal with the change at first, but soon comes to the realization that he must move on in order to live a happier and better life. He comes to learn many life changing realizations about how to cope whenever his “cheese” has been moved. It is not always a bad thing and will help him become more successful in reaching his goal. Instead of resisting this change, one must learn how to “move with the cheese.” In the end, Haw finally found his new cheese and learned how to realize and accept when change was necessary, as change is inevitable throughout our lives. Hem on the other hand stayed in denial and never decided to give “new cheese” a chance.

From this story we learn that many people do not know what to do whenever they are suddenly taken out of their comfort zone and forced into something new. This is exactly what every high school senior goes through as they transition into the college life. When this time comes, many are not familiar with the changes that must happen and tend to react differently, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst. This is what almost every college application tends to look for, whether you as a future student will be able to adapt to a new life. To ascertain this, they ask questions regarding your involvement in school groups and leadership roles. As a member of different groups, clubs and organizations, they know that you are capable of building true relationships and able to cope with the sacrifices that come with each one. More importantly, they will know that you have the foundation to be able to lead yourself. That you have learned to manage your time and not let yourself fall behind whenever your “cheese,” or future goals, may change.

Haw learned how to take initiative in his life and he never lost sight of his mission. His drive for success, confidence, and sense of independence began to grow along with his sense of leadership. The school admissions board wants to see that you can do the same. They want to know not only if you are capable of becoming a committed student, but if you are able to contribute to the overall campus community. They need leaders who are willing to go beyond being a mere consumer; someone who is always looking for opportunities to serve and give back as opposed to only looking for what you can take. This is something that commonly happens, as I have been able to witness first hand as an undergraduate. Many begin to fall under pressure and those without the skills that come along with being a leader, end up stuck in a rut like Hem. They never find their “new cheese.”

Upon hearing this story, the former classmates soon come to the realization that change is a good thing and that they must not be afraid to take chances; the aftermaths of moving on are a lot better than those of staying stuck in the same dilemma. They see that one must simply learn how to accept whatever fate gives them and try to succeed with whatever challenges they may be faced with. Just as Hem, we must be able to envision ourselves as successful people. We must be able to hone our skills as leaders to guide ourselves in the right direction, not only in our college life, but in any future endeavor. Overall, this is why I think that leadership skills are essential for college success.