How to Pet a Porcupine

I discovered something new in a staff meeting a few weeks ago, and that is that you can pet a porcupine without getting hurt. I have never actually pet a porcupine, but I was told it is possible without a follow-up trip the hospital, if you do it correctly.

Porcupine

Photo courtesy of © flickr.com/photos/arthur_chapman/3986448936/

If you want to pet a porcupine without getting stuck by a bunch of quills you don’t run up and startle it.  You don’t quickly scoop it up into your hands and give it a big hug.  If you want to pet a porcupine you have to develop trust with it.  First, you hold out your hand to see if it wants to come near and sniff you. Only after it sniffs you can you pet it, but you have to do it a certain way starting at the head and petting down.  To pet a porcupine any other way could potentially hurt…a lot.

Some people are a lot like porcupines. They have quills, and they will stick you if you handle them the wrong way.    You know the kind of people I am talking about, they tend to be a bit grouchy, pessimistic, standoffish and avoid personal contact, have a tendency to complain and point out the bad in a situation, etc…  These people tend to be a lot like porcupines.  If you run up and startle them you’re going to get hurt.  If you try to pressure them into doing something you’re going to get hurt.  If you cross their path in a way they don’t like, start looking for the nearest hospital.

To pet one of these porcupines requires developing trust just like a real porcupine. No, holding out your hand to see if they sniff you is probably not the best way to go about it, but spending time getting to know them is.  Learning about their perspective, their past, their priorities can give you insight in how best to go about working and getting along with them.  Taking the time to building trust with can go a very long way, and save you a lot of pain in the end.  Just as I am sure petting a real porcupine is an amazing experience, I know that getting someone who is a bit prickly on your side can be just as fulfilling.

Also, for those who are pastors of churches and have opportunity to work with porcupines, the reality is that they are also sheep in need of a good shepherd. They can’t simply be dismissed. You can’t just steer clear of them like you might a real porcupine in the wild. You have to learn to pet them.  You have to learn to lead them. So you might as well do it the right way, and save yourself some pain.

Posted on
Category: Leadership

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Leave a Reply to BradleyMop Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

118,805 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  4. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.

    Reply

  6. В этой публикации мы предлагаем подробные объяснения по актуальным вопросам, чтобы помочь читателям глубже понять их. Четкость и структурированность материала сделают его удобным для усвоения и применения в повседневной жизни.
    Доступ к полной версии – https://www.pebmetal.in/portfolio/portfolio-7

    Reply

  11. I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome web log!

    Reply

  19. Pokud hledáte online casino cz, cz casino online nebo kasina, jste na správném místě. Jsem žurnalista a pomohu vám srovnat rizika i možnosti českého online hazardu – stylově, seriózně a uživatelsky přívětivě: online casino cz

    Reply

  26. Эта информационная заметка предлагает лаконичное и четкое освещение актуальных вопросов. Здесь вы найдете ключевые факты и основную информацию по теме, которые помогут вам сформировать собственное мнение и повысить уровень осведомленности.
    Познакомиться с результатами исследований – https://www.hotel-sugano.com/bbs/sugano.cgi/sosh13.pascal.ru/forum/www.skitour.su/sinopipefittings.com/e_Feedback/www.tovery.net/www.skitour.su/datasphere.ru/club/user/12/blog/2477/www.hip-hop.ru/forum

    Reply

  27. Мы предлагаем вам подробное руководство, основанное на проверенных источниках и реальных примерах. Каждая часть публикации направлена на то, чтобы помочь вам разобраться в сложных вопросах и применить знания на практике.
    Ознакомиться с полной информацией – https://ichat-rks.org/projekti-perkrahja-e-punesimit-permes-trajnimeve-punes-praktike-dhe-mentorship-ne-biznese-per-komunitetet-ne-regjionin-e-prishtines

    Reply

  38. Нужен надежный промышленный пол без простоев? Мы сделаем под ключ бетонные, наливные, магнезиальные и полимерцементные покрытия. Даем гарантию от 2 лет, быстро считаем смету и выходим на объект в кратчайшие сроки. Ищете эпоксидный пол цена за м2? Смотреть объекты, рассчитать стоимость и оставить заявку можно на mvpol.ru Сдаем работы в срок, применяем проверенные материалы и собственную технику. Позвоните — подберем решение под ваши нагрузки и бюджет.

    Reply