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 *

257,801 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  13. Приобрести документ ВУЗа вы можете в нашей компании в столице. Мы оказываем услуги по производству и продаже документов об окончании любых ВУЗов Российской Федерации. Гарантируем, что в случае проверки документов работодателями, никаких подозрений не появится: astroroleplay.getbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2158

    Reply

  21. Приобрести документ о получении высшего образования вы имеете возможность у нас в столице. Мы оказываем услуги по изготовлению и продаже документов об окончании любых ВУЗов Российской Федерации. Даем гарантию, что при проверке документов работодателями, подозрений не появится: veneraroleplay.listbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7995

    Reply

  29. Сколько бы ни было сыграно матчей, дерби всегда остаются…

    Между прочим, если вас интересует Хроники и тактика футбольных дерби, загляните сюда.

    Ссылка ниже:

    https://tottenham-army.ru

    Поделитесь своими впечатлениями и воспоминаниями о захватывающих дерби…

    Reply

  31. My brother suggested I would possibly like this blog.

    He was once entirely right. This publish truly made my day.
    You can not imagine just how a lot time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

    Reply

  36. Меня тоже волнует этот вопрос. Подскажите, где я могу об этом прочитать?
    промокод 1xbet, бесплатный промокод 1xbet 6500free1x 2026 – Промокод 1xbet — отличный способ увеличить свои шансы на выигрыш. Используйте счет код при регистрации и получайте привилегии на свой счет. Это удобный способ обогатиться свой капитал. Не упустите шанс улучшить свои результаты с 1xbet!

    Reply

  47. Перед таблицей важное пояснение: она помогает соотнести риски и плотность наблюдения ещё до осмотра. Окончательное решение принимает врач по клинической картине и переносимости, но ориентир даст понимание маршрута и бюджета времени.
    Подробнее – narkologicheskaya-klinika

    Reply