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 torkretirovanie_olEn Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

151,342 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  27. online slots australia
    Australia’s Best Pokies: Our Hands-On Testing Results
    Our testing team has spent several months testing the top online pokies in Australia. We’ve thoroughly evaluated each site, checking how fast they pay out, the actual value of their bonuses, their licensing, and how well they work on handheld devices.

    Every site we list holds GCB authorization under 96GROUP, which means they meet standards for fair play and responsible gambling.

    Our Top Recommendations

    Partner Top Offer Min Dep Payout Speed* Score
    APP996 Up to AUD 2,000 match AUD 5 5–10 mins 5.0
    OPAL96 6% weekly commission AUD 5 ~10 mins 4.9
    VIVA96 110% welcome bonus AUD 5 ~10–15 mins 4.8
    MM96 VIP rewards + missions AUD 5 ~15 mins 4.7

    Processing time after KYC verification. Bank processing times may vary.
    What We Found

    – APP996: Features a 50% welcome bonus and a 0.96% rebate.
    – OPAL96: Boasts over 5,000 games and is a newer platform.
    – VIVA96: Offers a 110% bonus, 17% daily reload, and an 8% win/loss rebate.
    – MM96: Offers up to a 100% welcome offer and daily missions.

    Our Evaluation Method
    We made true withdrawal attempts to verify processing times, ensured the validity of licenses and RNG fairness, scrutinized the real bonus value after accounting for wagering requirements and withdrawal caps, evaluated the quality of their 24/7 support, and ensured responsible gambling tools were available.

    Mobile Experience
    All these sites use Gialaitech’s mobile-friendly platform:
    – Play straight in the browser—no app needed
    – Add this site to your home screen for quick access
    – Features biometric login, works well with one hand, quick cashier (PayID, cards, e-wallets, crypto)
    – Offers custom themes, session controls, and optional notifications for bonuses or payouts

    Key Details

    These partners are GCB-licensed. Our ratings are our own opinion—any affiliate payments don’t influence our scores. All bonuses come with terms (wagering requirements, withdrawal caps, game restrictions). Must be 18 or older.
    Should you need gambling assistance: Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 or gamblinghelponline.org.au

    Bet responsibly. Know your limits.

    Reply

  45. Excellent site you have here but I was wondering if you knew of
    any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get responses
    from other experienced people that share the same interest.
    If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Bless you!

    Reply