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 kypit yzi apparat_phOl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

17,784 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  8. Комплексное лечение на дому организовано по четкому алгоритму, который позволяет быстро стабилизировать состояние пациента и начать процесс детоксикации. Каждый этап терапии направлен на безопасное выведение токсинов и восстановление нормального функционирования организма.
    Получить дополнительные сведения – https://narcolog-na-dom-ufa00.ru/narkolog-na-dom-ufa-czeny

    Reply

  12. Современные методы лечения при выводе из запоя включают как медикаментозную детоксикацию, так и психологическую реабилитацию. В Уфе наркологи используют капельничное введение лекарственных средств, которые помогают быстро вывести токсины, нормализовать обмен веществ и стабилизировать работу внутренних органов. Одновременно с этим проводится психологическая поддержка для снижения эмоционального стресса, связанного с запоем.
    Разобраться лучше – частный нарколог на дом в уфе

    Reply

  13. Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  16. Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Thank you, I appreciate it!

    Reply

  23. Методы детоксикации в себя как медикаментозное лечениетак и домашние средства. Необходимо помнить о поддержке семьи и друзей, что играет важную роль в восстановлении после запоя. Кодирование от алкоголизма может помочь предотвратить рецидивы. vivod-iz-zapoya-tula006.ru План по избавлению от алкоголя и профилактика рецидивов обеспечат стабильный переход к новой жизни без алкоголя. Лечение запоя и реабилитация – это многогранный путь, который требует терпения и настойчивости.

    Reply

  28. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity to your post is just excellent and that i can suppose you’re an expert on this subject. Well along with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with approaching post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the enjoyable work.

    Reply

  30. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would truly benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  37. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

    Reply

  39. Нарколог устанавливает внутривенную капельницу, через которую вводятся растворы, обеспечивающие быстрое выведение токсинов, восстановление водно-электролитного баланса и стабилизацию состояния.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – выезд нарколога на дом воронеж

    Reply

  46. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will
    be thankful to you.

    Reply

  47. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.

    Reply