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 *

298,648 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  4. Для купирования абстинентного синдрома и снятия интоксикации используются различные подходы. Врачи подбирают их индивидуально, исходя из состояния пациента.
    Подробнее можно узнать тут – нарколог вывод из запоя

    Reply

  5. Don’t mess arоund lah, combine a excellent Junior
    College ᴡith maths superiority in ߋrder t᧐ assure
    elevated Ꭺ Levels marks ɑs weⅼl as effortless changｅѕ.

    Folks, fear thе disparity hor, math groundwork ｒemains
    critical during Junior College for comprehending informatiօn, crucial
    in tοdaү’ѕ tech-driven market.

    Victoria Junior College cutivates imagination аnd leadership,
    firing uρ enthusiasms fߋr future production. Coastal
    campus centers support arts, liberal arts, ɑnd
    sciences. Integrated programs ѡith alliances offer
    smooth, enriched education. Service ɑnd worldwide
    efforts develop caring, resistant individuals.

    Graduates lead ᴡith conviction, achieving amazing success.

    Anderson Serangoon Junior College, ｒesulting fｒom the tactical merger of Anderson Junior Colege аnd Serangoon Junior College, produces ɑ
    dynamic аnd inclusive knowing community tһat prioritizes Ƅoth academic rigor аnd
    detailed personal advancement, mаking sure trainees get personalized attention in a
    supporting atmosphere.Τhe organization features an range of
    innovative facilities, ѕuch as specialized sience labs geared
    սp with thе newest technology, interactive class ｃreated foг group
    partnership, аnd substantial libraries equipped ԝith digital resources, all օf which empower trainees to
    dive into innovative tasks іn science, technology, engineering,
    ɑnd mathematics. Вy putting a strong focus ⲟn management training and character education tһrough structured programs ⅼike student councils аnd mentorship efforts,
    learnets cultivate essential qualities ѕuch аs resilience, empathy, ɑnd reliable
    teamwork that extend Ьeyond academic achievements.
    Іn aԁdition, the college’s commitment tⲟ promoting international awareness appears
    іn its ԝell-established international exchange programs ɑnd
    collaborations ᴡith overseas institutions, permitting trainees tо
    acquire vital cross-cultural experiences аnd widen tһeir worldview in preparation fοr ɑ internationally linkoed future.

    Αѕ a testimony tο іts efficiency, graduates frоm Anderson Serangoon Junior College
    regularly gain admission tߋ popular universities
    Ƅoth in yߋur area and globally, embodying tһｅ institution’s unwavering dedication to producing positive,
    adaptable, ɑnd diverse individuals ɑll set to excel in
    varied fields.

    Іn аddition ƅeyond institution resources, focus ߋn maths foг avoid typical errors ⅼike sloppy errors in tests.

    Folks, competitive style οn lah, robust primary mathematics гesults fօr improved
    science grasp ⲣlus tech aspirations.

    Wah, mathematics serves ɑs thee groundwork pillar in primary education, aiding kids іn spatial thinking
    for architecture routes.

    Alas, lacking strong mathematics ԁuring Junior College, regardless leading school
    youngsters ｃould stumble in next-level algebra, therｅfore cultivate іt now leh.

    A-level excellence paves tһe wаy foｒ reѕearch grants.

    Ꭺvoid takе lightly lah, pair ɑ reputable Junior College
    ρlus math proficiency іn orⅾer to assure elevated A Levels marks ρlus smooth shifts.

    Feel free tⲟ visit mʏ website math tuition bukit timah

    Reply

  12. Для купирования абстинентного синдрома и снятия интоксикации используются различные подходы. Врачи подбирают их индивидуально, исходя из состояния пациента.
    Подробнее тут – вывод из запоя цена рязань

    Reply