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 Charlesmar Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

260,939 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  3. Если вы любите напряженные моменты и футбольную страсть, дерби…

    Особенно понравился раздел про Хроники и тактика футбольных дерби.

    Вот, делюсь ссылкой:

    https://tottenham-army.ru

    Независимо от исхода, каждое дерби всегда становится…

    Reply

  4. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should publish more on this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but generally people do not talk about these issues. To the next! Kind regards!!

    Reply

  10. Материал включает занимательные, но незначимые детали, которые трудно назвать важными, но они дополняют общую картину.
    Дополнительная информация – рулетка онлайн

    Reply

  14. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you ought to write more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not talk about such topics. To the next! Cheers!!

    Reply

  19. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t speak about these subjects. To the next! All the best!!

    Reply

  20. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you need to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people do not talk about such topics. To the next! Kind regards!!

    Reply

  25. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you ought to publish more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people do not discuss such subjects. To the next! All the best!!

    Reply

  28. Клиника «Детокс» в Сочи предлагает услугу вывода из запоя в стационаре. Под наблюдением профессиональных врачей пациент получит необходимую медицинскую помощь и поддержку. Услуга доступна круглосуточно, анонимно и начинается от 2000 ?.
    Разобраться лучше – вывод из запоя с выездом сочи

    Reply

  29. После первичной стабилизации врач обычно объясняет близким, почему «просто поспать» не всегда получается сразу, сколько времени может держаться раздражительность и как правильно выстроить режим, чтобы не спровоцировать повторный срыв в первые дни.
    Узнать больше – narkolog na dom anonimno

    Reply

  30. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t talk about such issues. To the next! Kind regards!!

    Reply

  31. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t talk about these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!

    Reply

  34. Very good website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about here?

    I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get responses from other knowledgeable individuals
    that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

    Kudos!

    Reply

  39. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to publish more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t speak about such subjects. To the next! Many thanks!!

    Reply

  42. Статья знакомит с важнейшими моментами, которые сформировали наше общество. От великих изобретений до культурных переворотов — вы узнаете, как прошлое влияет на наше мышление, технологии и образ жизни.
    Все материалы собраны здесь – https://kontinuumliberec.com/events/s-chuti-v-pohybu

    Reply

  47. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss these issues. To the next! Many thanks!!

    Reply

  48. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you need to write more on this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people do not discuss such issues. To the next! All the best!!

    Reply