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 Diplomi_uwpa Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

325,305 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  10. you’re truly a just right webmaster. The web site loading velocity is amazing. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a magnificent job in this subject!

    Reply

  13. В Краснодаре решение есть — наркологическая клиника. Здесь помогают людям выйти из запоя без страха и осуждения. Всё анонимно, грамотно и с заботой о каждом пациенте.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – нарколог на дом недорого

    Reply

  32. Estou alucinado com Fogo777 Casino, parece um festival de chamas cheio de adrenalina. As escolhas sao vibrantes como chamas. incluindo jogos de mesa com um toque de ritual. O suporte e um fulgor reluzente. disponivel por chat ou e-mail. Os saques queimam como brasas. entretanto queria promocoes que explodem como labaredas. Para encurtar, Fogo777 Casino e o point perfeito pros fas de cassino para os amantes de cassinos online! De bonus o design e um espetaculo visual flamejante. adicionando um toque de fogo ao cassino.
    https://fogo777.com|

    Reply

  35. Estou completamente incendiado por Verabet Casino, tem um ritmo de jogo que danca como labaredas. As escolhas sao vibrantes como chamas. com caca-niqueis que reluzem como brasas. O atendimento esta sempre ativo 24/7. assegurando apoio sem fumaca. As transacoes sao faceis como um fulgor. entretanto mais bonus seriam um diferencial ardente. Ao final, Verabet Casino oferece uma experiencia que e puro ritual para os cacadores de vitorias incendiarias! E mais o visual e uma explosao de chamas. dando vontade de voltar como uma labareda.
    vera bet br games pgsoft fortune rabbit|

    Reply