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 *

258,219 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  2. Диплом об образовании в СССР считался главным документом, который способствовал быстрому и удачному трудоустройству. Купить диплом под заказ вы имеете возможность используя официальный сайт компании. lossantosbattalion17.listbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3231

    Reply

  6. Приобрести диплом университета по невысокой стоимости возможно, обратившись к проверенной специализированной компании. Для проверки компании до покупки воспользуйтесь рейтингом и отзывами в онлайне. Можно купить диплом из любого университета Российской Федерации propertyocean.lk/estate_agent/zenaidabobb503

    Reply

  7. What i don’t understood is in truth how you are no longer really much more smartly-preferred than you may be
    now. You are very intelligent. You already know therefore significantly with regards
    to this topic, produced me individually believe it from
    so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s
    one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent.

    At all times take care of it up!

    Reply

  12. Диплом об образовании в СССР считался основным документом, который способствовал удачному поиску работы. Купить диплом под заказ в Москве вы сможете используя сайт компании. leydis16.phorum.pl/posting.php?mode=newtopic&f=1

    Reply

  26. Диплом об образовании ранее считался ключевым документом, способствовавшим быстрому и успешному трудоустройству. Купить диплом вы можете используя официальный сайт компании. connectthelinks.com/chantalspringt

    Reply

  29. В данной обзорной статье представлены интригующие факты, которые не оставят вас равнодушными. Мы критикуем и анализируем события, которые изменили наше восприятие мира. Узнайте, что стоит за новыми открытиями и как они могут изменить ваше восприятие реальности.
    Желаете узнать подробности? – https://c-creative.fr/2024/02/08/bonjour-tout-le-monde

    Reply

  37. Если вы ищете надежную клинику для вывода из запоя в Сочи, обратитесь в «Детокс». Здесь опытные специалисты окажут необходимую помощь в стационаре. Услуга доступна круглосуточно, анонимно и начинается от 2000 ?.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – вывод из запоя вызов на дом сочи

    Reply

  42. Если нужен профессиональный вывод из запоя, обращайтесь в стационар клиники «Детокс» в Сочи. Все процедуры проводятся анонимно и под наблюдением специалистов.
    Выяснить больше – помощь вывод из запоя сочи

    Reply

  47. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more on this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people do not speak about these issues. To the next! Cheers!!

    Reply

  50. An interesting discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should write more about this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t discuss these topics. To the next! All the best!!

    Reply