Back ground:
The organization I work for has just announced some of the details of a major reorg. Although I am assured a job, I am in limbo right now. No work to do, no manager to report to as of yet. We are to keep things working and if there are major problems, report back through our old management structure. In a week or two, we should know where in the organization our unit fits, who we report too, what changes are due for our group, etc…
One of the people I work with suggested reading a book called “Who Moved My Cheese”. This is a little book that takes about 20-30 minutes to read. I read the book. The book is great! It is really a story about change and how we all deal with it. It applies on so many different levels. I recommend reading this book to all people.
I think everyone might benefit from the theme. It speaks of 4 basic reactions to change. The change can be in a job, at home whatever. The “cheese” can be whatever, money, security, a relation, etc… I think that where people are at in life and how they react, will dictate the possible benefits of the book.
The organization I work for is also planning some major changes, namely by replacing our current computer system with something more up-to-date (our system was built back in the '80’s). So our actual work will change dramatically, as in how we do what we do.
As a result, our Director strongly hinted we should read this book. In fact, he said he would buy copies for anyone who wanted one (and yes, I got a copy).
I agree, it’s fascinating as both a book and a philosophy. But whether it will work when we must make the actual CHANGES is another matter – I’m skeptical that people can get out of their comfort zone when the new system kicks in.
I have a problem with any book whose first ten pages are all about how great the book is. I don’t mean a preface, I don’t mean reviews. I mean the book actually spends time praising itself. When I meet people like that, I say “get over yourself!”
Concerning the book itself, I wasn’t terribly impressed. I didn’t hate it either, but I didn’t like the condescending tone of it, as if the author were teaching an impressionable child. Of course, that’s the kind of people who usually buy that type of book, right? haha
As for the content, it was good common sense information that everybody should take into account, but I think it’s also something anybody who spends 15 minutes thinking about life should be able to derive on their own.
For content I give it an A-. For tone, I give it a D. Overall, I give it a C+.
Understood the points made, found that they could have been made more concisely (though when you’re driving, the repetition and inefficiency aren’t as annoying as it would be if you were reading).
It sounds like the tape resembled the book in it’s repetition.