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 Reina Gillig Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

241,685 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  3. You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be actually one thing that I think I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely large for me. I’m having a look forward in your subsequent publish, I’ll try to get the cling of it!

    Reply

  15. Если вы или ваш близкий нуждаетесь в профессиональной помощи при запое, клиника «Детокс» в Краснодаре предлагает услугу вызова нарколога на дом. Врач приедет в течение 1–2 часов, проведёт необходимое обследование и назначит лечение. Услуга доступна круглосуточно и анонимно.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – платный нарколог на дом

    Reply

  19. Je suis fou de Julius Casino, ca pulse avec une energie de casino triomphante. Les choix de jeux au casino sont riches et glorieux, avec des machines a sous de casino modernes et envoutantes. Le personnel du casino offre un accompagnement imperial, repondant en un eclair de glaive. Le processus du casino est transparent et sans embuches, parfois des recompenses de casino supplementaires feraient rugir de plaisir. En somme, Julius Casino est un casino en ligne qui regne en maitre pour les amoureux des slots modernes de casino ! A noter l’interface du casino est fluide et majestueuse comme un palais, ce qui rend chaque session de casino encore plus triomphante.
    julius casino avis fiabilite|

    Reply

  22. Статья содержит практические рекомендации и полезные советы, которые можно легко применить в повседневной жизни. Мы делаем акцент на реальных примерах и проверенных методиках, которые способствуют личностному развитию и улучшению качества жизни.
    Посмотреть всё – https://31darmada.pt/eng/attachment/811

    Reply

  35. Клиника «Детокс» в Сочи предлагает услугу вывода из запоя в стационаре. Под наблюдением профессиональных врачей пациент получит необходимую медицинскую помощь и поддержку. Услуга доступна круглосуточно, анонимно и начинается от 2000 ?.
    Выяснить больше – наркологический вывод из запоя в сочи

    Reply

  37. I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome website!

    Reply

  46. Эта обзорная заметка содержит ключевые моменты и факты по актуальным вопросам. Она поможет читателям быстро ориентироваться в теме и узнать о самых важных аспектах сегодня. Получите краткий курс по современной информации и оставайтесь в курсе событий!
    Посмотреть подробности – https://tv.lpmsigma.com/sigma-talk-boikot-produk-pro-israel-ini-tanggapan-ukm-kopma

    Reply