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 Arthurbef Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

269,508 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  1. Купить диплом о высшем образовании Никто не хотел бы потратить годы своей жизни на то, чтобы получить умения и навыки, которые уже имеются. В таком случае решение о покупке диплома о высшем образовании является для вас самым оптимальным. И для этого вам нужно сделать не так много – подобрать компанию, занимающуюся изготовлением и доставкой дипломов на заказ. Такой вариант даст вам возможность за небольшую сумму и в кратчайшие сроки заполучить диплом из любого высшего учебного заведения России: c90226sl.beget.tech/2025/10/03/kupit-diplom-stroitelya

    Reply

  9. Музыкальный центр не читает CD или «пропускает» треки? Почистят лазер и настроят механику — в СЦ

    Reply

  10. Фен не держит температуру или быстро перегревается? Проверят термодатчик и заменят ТЭН — в СЦ

    Reply

  12. constantly i used to read smaller content which also
    clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I
    am reading at this time.

    Reply

  17. Привет! Хочу предупредить новичков: не все онлайн казино одинаково полезны. Ищите те, где есть прозрачные правила, и обязательно сверяйтесь с независимыми обзорами. Я нашёл несколько платформ 2025 года с мобильной версией — всё собрано здесь: эльдорадо казино. Кто уже успел попробовать?

    Reply

  27. Ӏ wish to get across my gratitude for your generosity in support ߋf all thⲟse that must have help օn that area.
    Your very own commitment to getting the s᧐lution acrοss appeared to be extremely advantаgeous and has continually empowered
    aѕsociates just like me to realize their desired goals.

    Your entire useful information entails a great dеal a person like me
    and still more to my fellow workers. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.

    Herе is my page Inclusive language repository

    Reply

  32. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and
    now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the
    same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Cheers!

    Reply

  35. 일본의 유흥 문화는 다양성과 독특함으로 유명합니다.
    퇴근 후 동료들과 가볍게 술을 즐기는 이자카야부터 화려한 나이트클럽, 테마 카페까지 일본유흥은 폭넓은 스펙트럼

    Reply

  36. скайпцы не могу пока поставить по техническим причинам. хотелось бы связаться по мылу, но увы и ах. жаль, хороший ассортимент там. 🙁 https://za6.info Все очень быстро, пришло через день после заказа.отличный магаз,пришло всё быстро и в лучшем виде:dansing:спасибо,удачи и процветания

    Reply

  38. Капельницы в «СаратовМед Профи» — это конструктор из тщательно подобранных модулей. Каждый модуль решает одну задачу и имеет свой ожидаемый горизонт эффекта. Важно не название, а логика: задача > опора среды > как проверяем > когда ждём результат.
    Исследовать вопрос подробнее – вывод из запоя на дому круглосуточно в саратове

    Reply

  40. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.

    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?
    My site covers a lot of the same subjects
    as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
    Awesome blog by the way!

    Reply

  41. Howdy I am so excited I found your blog, I really found
    you by error, while I was looking on Google for something else, Anyways I am
    here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling
    blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
    to look over it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will
    be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the superb job.

    Reply

  49. Этот информативный текст отличается привлекательным содержанием и актуальными данными. Мы предлагаем читателям взглянуть на привычные вещи под новым углом, предоставляя интересный и доступный материал. Получите удовольствие от чтения и расширьте кругозор!
    Получить дополнительные сведения – https://www.powertvnews.in/2025/06/05/sleeper-coach-bus-seat-suddenly-broke-passengers-slamming-ksrtc

    Reply

  50. В этом интересном тексте собраны обширные сведения, которые помогут вам понять различные аспекты обсуждаемой темы. Мы разбираем детали и факты, делая акцент на важности каждого элемента. Не упустите возможность расширить свои знания и взглянуть на мир по-новому!
    Полезно знать – https://drzwizwanekoniem.pl/dzk_logo

    Reply