Does My Cheese Really Move?

 Does My Cheese Really Move?

While revisiting books that shaped my thinking during the refinement of my manuscript Value-Based Leadership, I came across a small yet powerful work: Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson, with a foreword by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D.

This book holds a special place in my memory. Years ago, it was gifted to me by the Maharashtra Board of Technical Education, Mumbai, after I attended a workshop on curriculum revision. Such gestures were common at that time, reflecting the spirit of encouragement and lifelong learning.

As an active member of the teachers’ association, many colleagues often approached me with their challenges, seeking guidance and counsel. I tried to ease their worries and offer practical advice, staying connected to both the people and the system. In this process, Who Moved My Cheese? became a tool I frequently used in training programs and discussions.

The Story and Its Metaphors:

The narrative is deceptively simple: four characters—two mice and two “little people”—navigate a maze in search of cheese. Yet the metaphor is profound:

•           Cheese represents what we desire in life: jobs, relationships, money, health, happiness, recognition, peace, or freedom.

•           The Maze symbolizes the environments where we spend our time—our organizations, communities, and relationships.

Timeless Lessons:

•           Having cheese makes you happy, but clinging to it makes you vulnerable.

•           If you do not change, you risk extinction.

•           “What would you do if you were not afraid?”—this question unlocks courage.

•           Smell the cheese often, so you know when it is getting old.

•           Movement in a new direction leads to new cheese.

•           Imagining yourself enjoying new cheese even before you find it helps you reach it.

•           The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you discover new opportunities.

•           Old beliefs rarely lead to new cheese.

•           Noticing small changes early prepares you for bigger changes ahead.

•           Ultimately, move with the cheese—and enjoy it.

A Pause for Reflection:

After reading the book, take a pause. Ask yourself: Does my cheese really move?

Sometimes the cheese truly shifts—jobs end, organizations change, relationships evolve. At other times, the cheese remains where it is, but we move in relation to it—our values, priorities, and perspectives evolve. The question is not only about external change but also about internal growth.

Just last week, while discussing the struggles of a former colleague, I advised him to first read this book and then return to me. Sometimes, the best counsel is not direct advice but guiding someone toward a mirror that reflects their own situation. Who Moved My Cheese? is such a mirror—it teaches us to embrace change, overcome fear, and find joy in renewal.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Jalgaon on Dec 23, 2025

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

 

Book Refinement: Polishing the Mirror !

 Book Refinement: Polishing the Mirror !

After completing the chapters of Value-Based Leadership, I now find myself in the crucial stage of refinement. Many of the chapters have already been shared on social media, where readers have responded generously with feedback. I have also appealed to thought leaders for their suggestions. For me, the subject itself is of primary importance—the author remains secondary. Each chapter will be revised and enriched with the help of my AI assistant, Copilot, ensuring consistency and continuity. Where necessary, chapters will be supplemented with the latest insights shared by thought leaders and collaborators.

Another important dimension of this refinement process is my deliberate return to the leadership books I have studied throughout my career. I am aligning the principles and thoughts presented in those works with my own writing, while carefully examining the new ideas I have introduced. This deep reflection allows me to test the practicability of value-based leadership in real-world contexts.

Across the globe, there are institutes dedicated to training and developing leaders who embody values. In addition, several executive search firms specialize in identifying leaders whose personal values align with those of the organizations they serve. I intend to highlight such institutions and organizations in my book. In a previous blog, I wrote about the Moral Re-Armament Centre, which organizes training and renewal programs for people in leadership roles.

While exploring resources on value-based leadership, I came across Perrett Laver, a leading international executive search firm operating in 70 countries worldwide. They advocate strongly for values-led leadership, stating:

“We are led by our own purpose and values, and we are proud to use our voice and expertise to drive values-led hiring forward. We will help you find an exceptional leader who not only has the experience and skills you need, but also aligns with your broader purpose, mission, and values, using our values assessment framework.”

This resonates deeply with my own work. I have developed two frameworks—one on intuitive decision-making and the other on value-based leadership. Rather than publishing these frameworks in journals or presenting them at conferences, I have chosen to share them through my book.

I sincerely hope the readers will find value in it.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Jalgaon on Dec 21,  2025

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

Heart: Conductor of Flow, Reservoir of Light

Heart: Conductor of Flow, Reservoir of Light

Engineering Heart Beats is the title of my book. It carries a meaning far deeper than its words suggest. Some readers have asked why I did not call it Engineer’s Heart Beats. The distinction is deliberate.

For me, engineering is not just a profession—it is the manifestation of creativity itself. As an adjective, it represents the collective spirit of engineers, a community devoted to designing, building, and shaping the world. As a verb, to engineer means to skillfully arrange, to bring into being, to create harmony out of complexity. Thus, Engineering Heart Beats is not about one engineer’s pulse, but about the universal rhythm of creativity and life.

The heart, biologically, sustains life through its rhythm. Yet beyond its physical role, I see it as a metaphorical governor of energy. Stimuli from our sensory organs, interpreted by the mind, generate experiences. These experiences flow through the heart, where each expansion and contraction becomes a symbol of how energy is received, regulated, and released. To speak of engineering heart beats is to speak of consciously shaping this flow—exercising mastery over the rhythm that animates our inner life.

Through our senses, we encounter two kinds of experiences: pleasant and unpleasant. The enlightened—the yogis, the spiritual seekers—remain indifferent to both. They dwell in the present, allowing energy to pass freely through the heart, where it replenishes and renews. For most of us, however, stored experiences can obstruct this flow. Pleasant memories, when revisited, bring joy, inspiration, and light. Unpleasant ones, when recalled, stir anger, frustration, and negativity.

Over time, I have cultivated an art: to store pleasant experiences in one part of the heart, like a reservoir of energy! When needed, I revisit them, drawing strength and inspiration. The other part of the heart I keep free—an open channel for the continuous flow of new energy! This practice allows me to balance memory and presence, joy and openness.

This thought crystallized further after reading The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer, particularly the chapter The Secret of the Spiritual Heart. It affirmed my belief that the heart is not merely a physical organ but also a spiritual center—a conductor of flow and a reservoir of light!

Engineering Heart Beats is my attempt to explore this reservoir and flow: how we can design the rhythm of our inner life, just as we engineer the structures of the outer world.

Closing Invitation:

Every reader carries their own reservoir of pleasant thoughts.

The question is:

Do we revisit it often enough?

Do we allow new energy to flow freely through the heart?

Perhaps the art of living is not only in remembering joy but in keeping space open for renewal!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Jalgaon on Dec 19, 2025

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

The Golden Thread of Reading Deeply

The Golden Thread of Reading Deeply

In the previous chapter, Learn to Learn – Lifelong Learning, I suggested that deep reading is one of the most enduring ways to cultivate lifelong learning. This chapter continues that thought, for books have been my companions and silent mentors throughout life.

The first storybook I ever read was ‘Sonyache Sut’—The Golden Thread. I was in the fourth standard when my father gifted it to me. He was a social worker and activist, a man whose life was devoted to helping others. That book did more than entertain me—it transported me. I found myself immersed in a world so vivid that I forgot the boundaries of my own.

Soon, I was drawn to other books—'Veer Dhaval’ by Nath Madhav, and many more fantastic, historical, and biographical novels. Most of these had come to my father as gifts from his friends and colleagues, fellow travellers in the world of social and political work. They were not merely books—they were tokens of shared ideals, silent witnesses to meaningful conversations.

Among them were biographies of great world leaders. They stirred something deep within me. One such biography was of Henry David Thoreau. His words still echo in my mind:

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”

That line became a quiet anthem for my inner rhythm—a reminder that it is worthwhile to walk a path less followed, if it is the one that calls your soul.

As I grew older, my reading expanded into works that became lifelong companions:

• The Power of Positive Thinking taught me the strength of optimism. Norman Vincent Peale’s words reminded me that faith and confidence are not luxuries, but necessities. His message was simple yet profound: when the mind is filled with hope, even the darkest path becomes lighter. This book helped me cultivate a habit of looking for possibilities rather than obstacles.

• Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do instilled resilience. Dr. Robert Schuller’s voice was like a friend urging me forward during storms. He showed me that adversity is temporary, but character endures. The book became a shield in moments of struggle, reminding me that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to move ahead despite it.

• An Autobiography of a Yogi opened the doors to spiritual reflection. Paramahansa Yogananda’s journey revealed that true leadership begins with inner harmony. His stories of meditation, discipline, and divine connection taught me that inside peace is the foundation for outward service. It was not just a book—it was a doorway into the vastness of the human spirit.

• The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People offered practical wisdom for leadership. Stephen Covey’s framework of habits—beginning with proactivity and ending with renewal—was like a map for living with integrity. It showed me that effectiveness is not about speed or success alone, but about aligning actions with principles. This book became a manual for balancing personal growth with collective responsibility.

• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind revealed the immense potential hidden within our thoughts. Joseph Murphy’s insights taught me that the mind is both seed and soil—what we plant in it grows silently, shaping our destiny. His words encouraged me to nurture positive beliefs, to trust the unseen processes of thought, and to recognize that transformation begins within.

• Chicken Soup for the Soul added warmth and humanity to my reading journey. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen’s collection of real-life stories reminded me that wisdom is not only found in great philosophies, but also in everyday acts of kindness, resilience, and love. Each story was like a gentle spark, showing that ordinary people, through small gestures, can create extraordinary impact.

Together, these books were not just lessons—they were lifelines. They helped me remain calm in adversity, gave me courage in uncertainty, and reminded me that leadership is not about authority, but about values lived consistently. Reading them deeply was like weaving a tapestry: each book added a thread of optimism, resilience, spirituality, discipline, and inner strength.

These books are not for one-time reading. I return to them regularly, again and again. Each time I revisit them, I discover new meanings in familiar words, because I myself have changed—with time, with experience, with insight. The principles and values they contain are timeless, and they grow with me as I grow with them.

Reading deeply is not about finishing chapters quickly—it is about allowing words to sink into the soul, to shape our thinking, and to guide our actions. For a leader, reading is not a pastime—it is a discipline. Books are reservoirs of wisdom, and when approached with sincerity, they transform into lifelong teachers.

I have also learned to choose carefully what to read and what not to read. I have publicly stated which books I will not read—those that do not align with my values or my purpose. Reading is not about quantity; it is about quality. It is about choosing companions that elevate the mind and strengthen the spirit.

My process of reading is deliberate. I take pauses, relate the words to my own experiences, and think over them deeply. Through this reflection, insight is developed. And that insight, when expressed through writing, reinforces lifelong learning. Writing becomes the mirror of reading—the act that transforms knowledge into wisdom.

Together, reading and writing form a cycle of growth. Books provide the seeds, reflection nurtures them, and writing allows them to bloom.

That Golden Thread still runs through me, stitching memory to meaning, reminding me that every book read deeply is not just a story—it is a step toward becoming a better human being, and a more value-based leader.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Jalgaon on Dec 18, 2025

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

Happy Marriage Anniversary!

Happy Marriage Anniversary!

१६ डिसेंबर हा दिवस अनेक अर्थांनी विशेष आहे. 

१९७१ च्या युद्धातील भारताचा विजय म्हणून हा ‘विजय दिन’ आहे. 

१६ डिसेंबर हा दिवस माझ्या करिता ही विशेष आहे.

१९८५ च्या या दिवशी, कोठारी मंगल कार्यालय, जळगाव येथे, 

मी सौ. लता यांच्याशी विवाहबद्ध झालो. 

लग्नाचा वाढदिवस लक्षात ठेवणारे पुरुष, 

पत्नीच्या प्रेमास अधिक पात्र होतात, असे म्हणतात!  

मी हा दिवस नेहमीच लक्षात ठेवतो.

प्रिय सौ. लता,

लग्नाच्या वाढदिवसानिमित्त, तुमचे खूप खूप अभिनंदन!

तुम्हाला मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा!!

लग्नाच्या वाढदिवसाच्या शुभेच्छा !

 लग्नाच्या वाढदिवसाच्या शुभेच्छा !

१६ डिसेंबर हा दिवस अनेक अर्थांनी विशेष आहे. 

१९७१ च्या युद्धातील भारताचा विजय म्हणून हा ‘विजय दिन’ आहे. 

१६ डिसेंबर हा दिवस माझ्या करिता ही विशेष आहे.

१९८५ च्या या दिवशी, कोठारी मंगल कार्यालय, जळगाव येथे 

मी सौ. लता यांच्याशी विवाहबद्ध झालो. 

लग्नाचा वाढदिवस लक्षात ठेवणारे पुरुष 

पत्नीच्या प्रेमास अधिक पात्र होतात, असे म्हणतात!  

मी तर तो दिवस आधीच लक्षात ठेवून, त्याविषयी लिहितो, प्रसारित करतो— 

म्हणून मला अधिक प्रेम मिळण्याची शक्यता नक्कीच आहे!

शक्यतेचे वास्तवात रूपांतर व्हावे म्हणून,

पूर्व संध्येला आणखी एक स्फुट लिहीत आहे! 

प्रिय लता,

छोटी मधुराही म्हणते, तुम्ही छान आहात!  

मॅडम, तुम्ही खरंच छान दिसता,

मॅडम, तुम्ही खरंच छान बोलता,

आणि मॅडम, तुम्ही खरंच छान रागावता!

मॅडम, तुम्ही हुशार आहातच,

पण अलीकडे WhatsApp च्या मदतीने,

मेसेजेस फॉरवर्ड करण्याची कला अवगत करून घेतल्याने,

तुम्ही अधिकच हुशार भासता!

उंटावरून शेळ्या हाकण्याची कला तुम्ही कुठून शिकलात?

हे मी वेळोवेळी विचारले, तरी तुम्ही ते आजवर सांगितलेले नाही.

तुमच्याकडे एखादे जादूचे भंडार आहे का, सूचनांनी भरलेले?

चाळीस वर्षांत, अगणित सूचना दिल्यानंतरही,

ते अजूनही तितकेच भरलेले वाटते!

सर्वच सूचनांचे पालन करता येत नसले,

तरी काहींचे पालन केल्याने खरंच फायदा झाला.

भेंडी कडक नसावी,

काकडी लहान असावी—

अशा सूचना सहज अंमलात आणता आल्या.

पण आंबा गोड असावा,

द्राक्षे आंबट नसावीत—

अशा सूचनांमुळे मात्र अजूनही तारांबळ उडते.

एखादी गोष्ट उत्साहाने सांगायला आलो,

तर ती तुम्हाला आधीच माहीत असते, तेव्हा थोडा हिरमोड होतो खरा,

पण तरीही, पुन्हा नवीन गोष्ट सांगण्यासाठी, मी तेवढ्याच उत्साहाने पुढे येतो.

"मी तुम्हाला आधीच सांगितले होते…"

असे तुम्ही नंतर म्हणू नये म्हणून,

आधीच काय ते सांगा, असे वारंवार विनवूनही, तुम्ही ते सांगत नाही.

तरीही, तुम्ही खूप आवडता!

लग्नाच्या वाढदिवसानिमित्त, तुमचे खूप खूप अभिनंदन!

तुम्हाला मनःपूर्वक शुभेच्छा!!

तुमचा,

महेंद्र, डिसेंबर १५, जळगाव

Learn to Learn: Lifelong Learning

Learn to Learn: Lifelong Learning

Learning is not merely the act of acquiring knowledge—it is the skill that sustains growth across a lifetime. To learn to learn is to cultivate resilience, adaptability, and curiosity, no matter the circumstances.

The Foundations of Learning:

In childhood, learning begins with alphabets, words, and sentences. Schools, guided by educational theories, train children in language, mathematics, science, and computing. Parents and teachers nurture values—cooperation, discipline, respect, and gratitude. These early lessons are not ends in themselves; they are the scaffolding upon which the skill of learning is built.

Learning in Higher Education:

By the time a student enters college, opinions and aptitudes begin to take shape. Here, learning becomes specialised—arts, commerce, science, medicine, law, psychology, philosophy. The teacher’s role shifts from instructor to facilitator. Students must now take responsibility: visiting libraries, reading newspapers, observing society, and exploring the digital world.

In the age of Artificial Intelligence, information is abundant. The challenge lies not in access but in discernment—separating the redundant from the meaningful, and applying processed knowledge to real-world contexts. This ability to filter, reflect, and apply is itself a higher-order learning skill.

Learning in Professional Life:

Graduation opens the door to the world of work, where learning becomes continuous. Professionals must adapt to new technologies, update their knowledge, and relate experiences to theory. They may enroll in training programs, distance learning courses, or workshops. This is the essence of lifelong pedagogical learning.

Practices that Sharpen the Skill:

Certain practices strengthen the ability to learn to learn. They transform learning from passive absorption into active reflection and growth:

• Expanding vocabulary: A rich vocabulary enhances comprehension, expression, and cognitive agility. It equips the learner to grasp complex ideas and communicate them with precision.

• Deep reading: Engaging with thought leaders and reflecting on their insights develops perspective and depth of understanding. Deep reading is not just about gathering information—it is about connecting ideas, questioning assumptions, and cultivating insight into both specific fields and life itself.

• Teaching as learning: Teaching is often the best way to learn. By linking new knowledge to what you already know, dividing topics into smaller parts, and explaining concepts simply—as if to a child—you reinforce your own understanding and uncover gaps in it.

• Reflective writing: Keeping a diary or journal fosters clarity of thought, self-awareness, and the ability to connect experiences with learning. Writing becomes a mirror that helps the learner process, refine, and internalize knowledge.

Together, these practices form a continuous cycle: 

Read → Observe → Experience → Reflect → Write → Read again. 

Each repetition strengthens the skill of learning to learn, ensuring that knowledge is not only acquired but also transformed into wisdom.

Learning in Adversity: Nelson Mandela

The highest form of learning skill is the ability to educate oneself in adversity. Nelson Mandela exemplified this during his 27 years of imprisonment. He read widely, reflected deeply, and engaged in dialogue with fellow prisoners. Through discipline and reflection, he transformed confinement into a classroom. His journey shows that learning to learn is the art of turning hardship into wisdom.

The Metaphor of Learning and Unlearning:

Learning to learn is like filling a vessel with fresh water—clear, nourishing, and full of possibility. But as the vessel fills, some of the old, stagnant water must be poured out. To truly grow, we must not only learn to learn, but also learn to unlearn—emptying what no longer serves us, so that new wisdom may flow in.

Together, they form the cycle of growth: 

Learn → Unlearn → Relearn.

Closing Reflection:

I have always shared with my students:

“Learn to Learn is the skill that, once embraced, ensures that no obstacle can ever truly block your path.”

To learn is to remain alive to possibilities. It is to cultivate curiosity even when the world tells you to settle. It is to see every challenge as an invitation to grow.

Mandela’s resilience reminds us that the true measure of education is not the certificates we collect, but the spirit of inquiry we nurture.

When we truly learn to learn,

We discover the courage to unlearn,

 And the wisdom to relearn.

Thus begins the next journey; Learn to Unlearn!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Jalgaon on Dec 14, 2025

#ValueBasedLeadership  #EngineeringHeartBeats