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_himt Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

105,062 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  4. Создавайте дом https://it-cifra.com.ua своей мечты! Всё о строительстве, ремонте и дизайне интерьера. Идеи, проекты, фото и инструкции — вдохновляйтесь и воплощайте задуманное легко и с удовольствием.

    Reply

  5. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

    Reply

  8. Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, good site!

    Reply

  12. «Мото-ДВ» — магазин мото и электротранспорта с реальным наличием и рассрочкой без первоначального взноса: квадроциклы, мопеды, питбайки, электросамокаты и электровелосипеды. Консультируют в Telegram и WhatsApp, помогают с подбором по росту и задачам, отправляют по России, есть акции и скидки на популярные модели. Посмотрите витрину и условия покупки на https://moto-dv.ru — уточняйте доступные расцветки, оформляйте онлайн и забирайте технику, которая дарит свободу движения.

    Reply

  13. Je suis accro a Locowin Casino, il procure une odyssee unique. Le catalogue est abondant et multifacette, offrant des sessions live intenses. Le bonus d’accueil est seduisant. Les agents repondent avec celerite, joignable a tout moment. Le processus est simple et reibungslos, bien que des offres plus genereuses ajouteraient de l’attrait. En resume, Locowin Casino garantit du plaisir a chaque instant pour les joueurs en quete d’excitation ! Par ailleurs la navigation est simple et plaisante, facilite une immersion totale. Particulierement interessant les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des avantages personnalises.
    Visiter la page web|

    Reply

  14. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.

    Reply

  19. J’apprecie l’environnement de Locowin Casino, il delivre une experience unique. La diversite des titres est epoustouflante, incluant des paris sportifs electrisants. Pour un lancement puissant. L’aide est performante et experte, proposant des reponses limpides. Les retraits sont realises promptement, par moments des bonus plus diversifies seraient souhaitables. Pour synthetiser, Locowin Casino est essentiel pour les amateurs pour ceux qui parient en crypto ! Ajoutons que le site est veloce et seduisant, ce qui eleve chaque session a un niveau superieur. Un plus significatif les options de paris sportifs etendues, propose des recompenses permanentes.
    Apprendre la mГ©thode|

    Reply

  24. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am
    impressed! Extremely helpful info specially the final section :
    ) I take care of such info a lot. I used to be looking for this
    particular info for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best
    of luck.

    Reply

  25. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

    Reply

  27. Я извиняюсь, но, по-моему, Вы не правы. Я уверен. Могу отстоять свою позицию. Пишите мне в PM, поговорим.
    7. Укажите номер телефона и введите не приходит смс Телеграм код из СМС. с этой целью в окно поиска, расположенное в верхнем углу, необходимо вбить «whatsapp».

    Reply

  40. Je suis completement obsede par Locowin Casino, il delivre une experience unique. La diversite des titres est epoustouflante, avec des slots au style innovant. Le bonus d’accueil est attractif. Les agents reagissent avec promptitude, accessible a tout instant. Les paiements sont proteges et lisses, par moments quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient apprecies. En fin de compte, Locowin Casino est essentiel pour les amateurs pour les enthousiastes de casino en ligne ! Ajoutons que le site est veloce et seduisant, ajoute un confort notable. Particulierement attractif les options de paris sportifs etendues, qui stimule l’engagement.
    AccГ©der au contenu|

    Reply

  41. Ich bin komplett hin und weg von SpinBetter Casino, es bietet einen einzigartigen Kick. Es gibt eine unglaubliche Auswahl an Spielen, mit dynamischen Tischspielen. Die Agenten sind blitzschnell, bietet klare Losungen. Die Gewinne kommen prompt, trotzdem mehr abwechslungsreiche Boni waren super. Global gesehen, SpinBetter Casino garantiert hochsten Spa? fur Krypto-Enthusiasten ! Daruber hinaus die Interface ist intuitiv und modern, was jede Session noch besser macht. Ein Pluspunkt ist die Community-Events, die das Spielen noch angenehmer machen.
    https://spinbettercasino.de/|

    Reply

  46. Artikel ini sangat bermanfaat karena mengulas dunia hiburan online
    dengan gaya yang ringan dan menarik.
    Pembahasan mengenai KUBET, Situs Judi Bola, dan Situs Parlay Gacor dijelaskan dengan sangat rinci.

    Saya juga menyukai bagaimana penulis memasukkan topik seperti toto macau, situs parlay, dan kubet login yang membuat artikel
    ini semakin lengkap dan berisi.

    Reply

  47. «АлкоНарко» — это современная наркологическая клиника, где проводят лечение наркомании и алкоголизма. Доступен выезд нарколога на дом, установка капельниц от запоя, вывод из запоя с применением проверенных методик и препаратов.
    Узнать больше – алкоголизм формируется

    Reply