This book contained only 94 pages. Very thin and small in size BUT it knocked my head a lot.
It categorised the character into 4. Sniffs, Scurry, Hem and Haw. Each name carries a different character which we can relate to our life and attitude.
"Sniffs who is faster to sniffs out change early, scurry who scurries into action, Hem who denies and resists change as he fears it will lead to something worst, or Haw who learns to adapt in time when he sees changing can lead to something better."
Well, it's hard for us to admit which real character suits us specially when we are categorised either Hem or Haw. It's true and expected that we are always in denial as we always think that we are good.
It does not only applies to our own self but to everyone. Each character in this book is exist and we need to recognised ourselves and the important thing is it's never too late to change for good things.
On our our journey in life, this book visualise it as if we are running in a maze looking for a cheese. Either we are willing to go out from comfort zone and keep looking for the new cheese or keep waiting for the cheese which was cease to exist and stick with what we believe and staying there and rotting away.
I rephrased the story by giving example in one organisation:
A = Boss who always demanding changes (sniffs)
B = Employee with good motivation and easily adopting changes (scurry)
C = Employee who always believe that he is right, work harder and no changes is necessary (Hem)
D = Employee who used to think he did right thing but later on able to realise that he need to change (Haw)
In work, it is normal that A will always demanding for changes to improve business and generate profit in any great way possible which A expecting B, C & D to adopt and to change.
As what was written in the book, almost all employee will resist and refuse to agree new rules and new idea as it will be requiring them to move out from their usual habits.
However, there is always a B. Who will rush into adapting changes and act towards the idea of changing. Probably B has nothing to worry, the changes has no effect on his life etc. So B will be flexible enough to adopt. OR it is just B character.
BUT, C will not be happy. C might be affected so much by the changes imposed. Either in usual work routine or in emotion. C has failed to identify the significance of changes as he think that what he has been doing for the past years is good enough to survive. No one is trying to persuade him that changes is necessary. Slowly C will drained out, job burn out, low motivation or even zero motivation to work. Productivity will never appear anymore.
While D is in 50 - 50. He used to think like C. But slowly when he managed to evaluate and trying too see things in different angle, he is able to adapt to changes. Slowly but surely.
In this context, I am in the opinion that no one should be blamed. Although from the character, we could see how strong Hem resist to changes but A should play a very important role. The ability of C in any area might be far different from A but A should lead everyone to be together. That is how team should work the things out. A shouldn't be expecting C to adapt to changes in a split second. A should be able to make C understand why changes is needed in the organisation.
Most important thing is we should always put others condition and ability into our shoes first before judging. IF let say A trying his level best to lift C up together with B & D, then C should also trying to understand and adapting the changes required.
It is undeniable that changes for the best is necessary all the time BUT together with that changes we have to plan and discuss the necessary steps to reach the goal TOGETHER.
Blaming each other came from attitude. It will be never ending until we can sit, relax and think calmly what was happening. Slowly catching up to adapt the changes in situation. Do not push to hard or otherwise every effort will just fade away and burn out.
Assuming a journey of life as running in the maze is an interesting thing to imagine. Even though we might be losing our way in the maze, we have to be brave and not to think too much.
Do not afraid of what is going to happen, enjoy every moment, do not ever regret what was happened in the past.
Good things in the past will remain as a good memory. Bad things also will remain in a memory as a lesson and not to repeat that in the future. All things happen for a reason and it depends on you how to colour your life and future.
Life is short to regret. Enjoy while you can. Do the best in every angle. Do not push too hard to be like others. You are unique in your own way and God specially created you for a very good reason. Always keep that in mind.
