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 mostbet_kg_zeot Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

154,319 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  1. J’ai une passion brulante pour Impressario Casino, c’est une plateforme qui brille comme un festival. Les titres proposes sont d’une elegance rare, avec des slots aux designs sophistiques. L’offre de bienvenue est prestigieuse. Le service client est irreprochable, toujours pret a briller. Les transactions sont fiables, de temps en temps des offres plus genereuses seraient parfaites. En resume, Impressario Casino vaut une visite glamour pour ceux qui parient avec des cryptos ! Notons aussi le design est moderne et scintillant, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Egalement remarquable les options de paris variees, qui dynamise l’engagement.
    Explorer tout|

    Reply

  5. J’aime l’ambiance futuriste de Monte Cryptos Casino, ca offre un plaisir numerique unique. La selection de jeux est astronomique, offrant des sessions live immersives. Avec des depots crypto rapides. Le suivi est irreprochable, toujours pret a resoudre. Les gains arrivent sans delai, parfois des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Pour conclure, Monte Cryptos Casino est un must pour les fans de blockchain pour les joueurs en quete d’innovation ! Par ailleurs le site est rapide et futuriste, facilite une immersion totale. Un atout cle les tournois reguliers pour la competition, garantit des transactions fiables.
    Parcourir le site|

    Reply

  13. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your site. It looks like some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously. Thank you

    Reply

  16. Hi fantastic blog! Does running a blog similar to this require a massive amount work? I have no expertise in programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyways, should you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic but I simply had to ask. Appreciate it!

    Reply

  23. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!

    Reply

  37. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!

    Reply