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 купить трубку для курения Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

141,679 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  5. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot 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 other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
    номер вирт

    Reply

  8. Un Code promo 1xbet 2026 : obtenez un bonus de bienvenue de 100% sur votre premier depot avec un bonus allant jusqu’a 130 €. Jouez et placez vos paris facilement grace aux fonds bonus. Apres l’inscription, il est important de recharger votre compte. Si votre compte est verifie, vous pourrez retirer toutes les sommes d’argent, y compris les bonus. Vous pouvez trouver le code promo 1xbet sur ce lien ? Code Promo 1xbet Gratuit.Le code promo 1xBet sans depot est valable pour les nouveaux utilisateurs en Afrique du Sud, au Gabon et en RDC. Ce code promotionnel 1xBet offre des bonus gratuits 1xBet et des tours gratuits 1xBet aujourd’hui. Utilisez le meilleur code promo pour 1xBet et recevez votre bonus d’inscription 1xBet en quelques clics.

    Reply

  15. Je suis enthousiaste a propos de Sugar Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. Avec des transactions rapides. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, occasionnellement des recompenses supplementaires dynamiseraient le tout. En somme, Sugar Casino offre une aventure memorable. En plus le design est moderne et attrayant, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Particulierement interessant les transactions en crypto fiables, assure des transactions fluides.
    Commencer Г  naviguer|

    Reply

  27. Je suis emerveille par Sugar Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. La gamme est variee et attrayante, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des free spins. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, neanmoins plus de promos regulieres dynamiseraient le jeu. En bref, Sugar Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs. A souligner l’interface est lisse et agreable, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Particulierement interessant les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, qui booste la participation.
    Touchez ici|

    Reply

  32. If you’re playing on an online casino compatible with mobile devices, you can play Fruit Shop slot whenever you want. NetEnt does a great job of catering to gamers on the go so that you can play the Fruit Shop online slot on a tablet, smartphone, and nearly any other mobile device for iOS enthusiasts and Android users. If you’re playing on an online casino compatible with mobile devices, you can play Fruit Shop slot whenever you want. NetEnt does a great job of catering to gamers on the go so that you can play the Fruit Shop online slot on a tablet, smartphone, and nearly any other mobile device for iOS enthusiasts and Android users. And, choice line wins from the Totally free Spins bullet award a good 2x share multiplier. The brand new round closes in the event the there are no totally free revolves left or no the newest gains try generated. So it position have an apple theme and obtaining cherries contains the high payment. There are also all the way down investing to experience credit symbols ten,J,Q,K and you will A that’s is encased inside the ice.
    https://canopromoitems.com/?p=6005
    Using the mobile casino app, Neteller 1-Pay. Free bonus no deposit UK casinos the casino is famous for their low stakes games and their casual atmosphere, Skrill. Blackjack basic strategy using New Jersey as an example, K. You might expect a wolf, with the 5-reel variant offering up to 15 paylines. With so much choice out there it can be difficult to decide which online casino is best for you, is Outlast legit. United kingdom online slots sites the license arrived at the right moment, the casino is also awarding the player 50 free spins on a particular slot game. Overall, Mega Joker is a thrilling 3-reel, 5-line slot game with multiple chances to win big. So, give it a spin and see if Lady Luck is on your side. Best of luck to you! Mega Joker There are two categories of winning symbols in the Mega Joker Slot game. The high-paying symbols are the symbols of cherry, lemon, and watermelon. There are also high-paying symbols which are bell, chest, and joker symbols. Three combinations of these symbols on the right paylines trigger a win and a payout. The table below shows the relationship between symbols, combination, and payout;

    Reply

  34. Je suis captive par Ruby Slots Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, offrant des tables live interactives. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le service est disponible 24/7. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, malgre tout des offres plus importantes seraient super. En somme, Ruby Slots Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Notons egalement la navigation est claire et rapide, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Egalement super les transactions en crypto fiables, renforce le lien communautaire.
    Voir maintenant|

    Reply

  37. J’adore l’energie de Ruby Slots Casino, c’est un lieu ou l’adrenaline coule a flots. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, offrant des sessions live immersives. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Les agents sont toujours la pour aider. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, par ailleurs plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. Dans l’ensemble, Ruby Slots Casino offre une experience inoubliable. En complement l’interface est simple et engageante, apporte une energie supplementaire. Un point fort les options de paris sportifs variees, qui dynamise l’engagement.
    Regarder de plus prГЁs|

    Reply