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 Jorgerisse Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

231,502 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  10. Журавлев Консалтинг Групп обеспечил полный цикл услуг по лицензированию медицинской деятельности, включая подготовку документов, контроль подачи и взаимодействие с государственными органами https://licenz.pro/

    Reply

  11. Hər turun nəticələri real vaxtda yenilənir. İspaniyanın lider komandalarını tanı.
    Bu həftə LaLiga canlı oyunları çox maraqlıdır. LaLiga logo dizaynı hər il yenilənir.
    Komandaların son nəticələri haqqında daha ətraflı məlumat üçün LaLiga turnir cədvəli səhifəsinə daxil olun.
    Ən çox qol vuran LaLiga futbolçuları kimlərdir?.
    LaLiga fixtures 2022/23 və 2025 siyahısı.
    Komandaların performans statistikasını müqayisə et.
    LaLiga cup finalı böyük maraqla izlənir.
    LaLiga oyunlarının qrafiki və nəticələri burada.

    Reply

  12. Заказывали пластиковые окна на кухню и спальню в компании Окна СПб. Замеры сделали оперативно, изготовление не заняло много времени. Монтажники справились быстро, окна установили идеально ровно. Теперь мы наслаждаемся комфортом: https://okna-v-spb.ru/

    Reply

  13. Мы работаем с триггерами, режимом сна/питания, энергобалансом и типичными стрессовыми ситуациями. Короткие и регулярные контрольные контакты снижают риск рецидива и помогают уверенно вернуться к работе и бытовым задачам.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – частная наркологическая клиника в мытищах

    Reply

  20. A person essentially assist to make severely posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to make this actual put up extraordinary. Wonderful process!

    Reply

  23. Складчик реально помогает экономить. Курсы, которые стоят десятки тысяч, можно купить за копейки. Всё работает честно и удобно. Теперь учусь с удовольствием – https://v27.skladchik.org/

    Reply

  45. It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have read this submit and if I may just I desire to recommend you few fascinating issues or advice. Maybe you could write next articles relating to this article. I wish to learn more issues about it!

    Reply

  46. Журавлев Консалтинг Групп предоставил полный спектр услуг по лицензированию медицинской деятельности, включая подготовку документов, контроль подачи и взаимодействие с органами – https://licenz.pro/

    Reply

  47. After looking into a few of the blog articles on your
    site, I truly like your way of blogging. I saved
    as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking
    back in the near future. Please visit my web site too and let me know
    how you feel.

    Reply