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

Your email address will not be published.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

121,749 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  1. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

    Reply

  7. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    However imagine if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more,
    “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this blog could definitely be
    one of the greatest in its niche. Wonderful blog!

    Reply

  9. Нужна скорая помощь при алкогольном отравлении или запое? В Москве служба Narcology Clinic оказывает неотложную помощь на дому — детокс, капельницы, оказание первой наркологической помощи и сопровождение до стабилизации.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – круглосуточная наркологическая помощь

    Reply

  12. You really make it seem really easy with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I think I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and very extensive for me. I’m having a look ahead in your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the hold of it!

    Reply

  24. Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.

    Reply

  30. Ich bin total begeistert von Turbonino Casino, es fuhlt sich an wie ein Hochgeschwindigkeitsrennen. Der Katalog des Casinos ist ein Boxenstopp voller Action, mit einzigartigen Casino-Slotmaschinen. Das Casino-Team bietet Unterstutzung, die wie ein Turbo-Motor lauft, antwortet blitzschnell wie ein Rennstart. Casino-Gewinne kommen wie ein Zielsprint, ab und zu mehr Freispiele im Casino waren ein Geschwindigkeitsrausch. Am Ende ist Turbonino Casino ein Muss fur Casino-Fans fur Fans von Online-Casinos! Ubrigens die Casino-Navigation ist kinderleicht wie ein Kurvenmanover, einen Hauch von Rennstrecken-Magie ins Casino bringt.
    turbonino review|

    Reply

  32. Даже при умеренной симптоматике самостоятельные попытки «перетерпеть» часто приводят к усугублению дегидратации, электролитным нарушениям и риску делирия. Медицинский контроль позволяет корректировать состояние по объективным показателям и предотвращать декомпенсацию.
    Подробнее тут – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-doneczk0.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu-doneczk-dnr/

    Reply

  36. Поздравляю, эта великолепная мысль придется как раз кстати
    {ha|on {akar|akar|terv} szunetet tartani vagy veglegesen torolni a {szamlajat|szamlajat|szamlajat} a {kaszino|szerencsejatek letesitmeny}, csak {Kapcsolat|Kapcsolat} {valasztottbirosagi|tamogatas|ugyfelszolgalat} a #file_linksC:\Users\Admin\Desktop\file\gsa+hu+PBNlomspirogiHU86c5cwhtp6P2URLBB.txt”,1,N] es kerjen felfuggesztest {vagy|vagy} {torles|felszamolas} {fiok|sajat|szemelyes} {rekord|regisztracio}.

    Reply

  43. Acho simplesmente estelar BetorSpin Casino, parece uma explosao cosmica de adrenalina. A selecao de titulos do cassino e um buraco negro de diversao, incluindo jogos de mesa de cassino com um toque intergalactico. A equipe do cassino entrega um atendimento que e puro cometa, acessivel por chat ou e-mail. Os ganhos do cassino chegam voando como um asteroide, mas mais recompensas no cassino seriam um diferencial astronomico. Na real, BetorSpin Casino e o point perfeito pros fas de cassino para os amantes de cassinos online! Vale dizer tambem a navegacao do cassino e facil como uma orbita lunar, torna a experiencia de cassino uma viagem espacial.
    betorspin.|

    Reply

  47. Simply desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.

    Reply