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 *

125,155 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  3. chernomorsky-sad.ru – рекомендованная группа декораторов планирующая комплексный диапазон процедур от эскиза до финала с упором скандинавских ноу-хау

    Reply

  4. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
    I will be sure to bookmark it and return to
    read more of your useful info. Thanks for the
    post. I will definitely comeback.

    Reply

  11. Ich bin suchtig nach PlayJango Casino, es verstromt eine Spielstimmung, die wie ein Feuerwerk explodiert. Die Spielauswahl im Casino ist wie ein funkelnder Ozean, mit Live-Casino-Sessions, die wie ein Gewitter knistern. Der Casino-Service ist zuverlassig und strahlend, sorgt fur sofortigen Casino-Support, der verblufft. Auszahlungen im Casino sind schnell wie ein Sturm, ab und zu die Casino-Angebote konnten gro?zugiger sein. Insgesamt ist PlayJango Casino ein Casino, das man nicht verpassen darf fur Abenteurer im Casino! Nebenbei die Casino-Seite ist ein grafisches Meisterwerk, den Spielspa? im Casino in die Hohe treibt.
    playjango casino|

    Reply

  17. Adoro o swing de BacanaPlay Casino, parece uma festa carioca cheia de axe. O catalogo de jogos do cassino e um bloco de rua vibrante, com jogos de cassino perfeitos pra criptomoedas. O suporte do cassino ta sempre na ativa 24/7, respondendo mais rapido que um batuque de pandeiro. O processo do cassino e limpo e sem tumulto, de vez em quando mais giros gratis no cassino seria uma loucura. Resumindo, BacanaPlay Casino e um cassino online que e uma folia sem fim para quem curte apostar com gingado no cassino! De bonus o site do cassino e uma obra-prima de estilo carioca, torna a experiencia de cassino uma festa inesquecivel.
    cГіdigo promocional bacanaplay|

    Reply

  21. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?

    I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me
    an e mail.

    Reply

  28. Curto demais a vibracao de JonBet Casino, parece uma camara de ecos cheia de adrenalina. O catalogo de jogos e uma camara de prazeres. incluindo jogos de mesa com um toque harmonico. O time do cassino e digno de um maestro. assegurando apoio sem dissonancias. As transacoes sao faceis como um sino. entretanto queria promocoes que vibram como sinos. Resumindo, JonBet Casino e uma vibracao de adrenalina para os apaixonados por slots modernos! E mais o design e um espetaculo visual harmonico. criando uma experiencia de cassino harmonica.
    saque minimo da jonbet|

    Reply

  29. Estou completamente alucinado por SpeiCasino, oferece uma aventura de cassino que orbita como um satelite. As opcoes de jogo no cassino sao ricas e brilhantes como estrelas, incluindo jogos de mesa de cassino com um toque cosmico. O suporte do cassino ta sempre na ativa 24/7, garantindo suporte de cassino direto e sem buracos negros. Os pagamentos do cassino sao lisos e blindados, de vez em quando mais recompensas no cassino seriam um diferencial astronomico. Em resumo, SpeiCasino oferece uma experiencia de cassino que e puro brilho estelar para os viciados em emocoes de cassino! E mais o site do cassino e uma obra-prima de estilo estelar, torna a experiencia de cassino uma viagem espacial.
    spei promo code for old accounts|

    Reply

  34. Estou completamente encantado com BETesporte Casino, proporciona uma aventura cheia de emocao. A variedade de titulos e estonteante, com sessoes ao vivo cheias de energia. 100% ate R$600 + apostas gratis. O servico esta disponivel 24/7, acessivel a qualquer hora. O processo e simples e direto, no entanto mais apostas gratis seriam incriveis. No geral, BETesporte Casino vale uma aposta certa para quem usa cripto para jogar ! Adicionalmente o design e moderno e vibrante, tornando cada sessao mais competitiva. Outro destaque o programa VIP com niveis exclusivos, fortalece o senso de comunidade.
    Mergulhe nisso|

    Reply

  35. Если вы ищете надежную клинику для вывода из запоя, обратитесь в «Детокс» в Краснодаре. Услуга вызова нарколога на дом доступна круглосуточно. Врачи приедут к вам в течение 1–2 часов и окажут необходимую помощь.
    Получить дополнительные сведения – нарколог на дом вывод из запоя

    Reply