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 melbet_esKr Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

233,107 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  35. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets
    I could add to my blog that atomatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve ben looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe
    you would have some experience with something like
    this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look
    forward to your new updates.

    Reply

  43. Компания «Мистер Паркет» предлагает жителям столицы широкий ассортимент качественных напольных покрытий по выгодным ценам. Салон фокусируется на реализации технической, многослойной и цельной древесины, ламинированных панелей, виниловых плит и корковых покрытий. Требуется кварцвиниловая плитка? На сайте mr-parquet.ru представлены коллекции ведущих производителей с подробными описаниями и фотографиями. Покупатели получают профессиональные консультации, услуги укладки и доставку по Москве. Регулярные акции и распродажи делают премиальные покрытия доступными для широкого круга клиентов.

    Reply

  47. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both
    educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy I came across this during my search for something regarding this.

    Reply