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 Gordonsam Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

287,494 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  1. Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine
    but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that,
    wonderful blog!

    Reply

  12. Наркологическая клиника — это пространство, где медицинская наука сочетается с психологической поддержкой и индивидуальным подходом к каждому пациенту. В клинике «ВоронежМед Альянс» лечение зависимости организовано по принципам доказательной медицины: каждый этап терапии основан на объективных данных, контролируемых результатах и четких критериях эффективности. Здесь помогают не просто устранить физические последствия зависимости, но и восстановить внутренние ресурсы человека, вернуть уверенность, осознанность и способность строить новую жизнь без алкоголя и наркотиков.
    Получить дополнительную информацию – http://narcologicheskaya-klinika-v-voronezhe17.ru/

    Reply

  13. Перед процедурой врач оценивает состояние пациента, измеряет давление, пульс и уровень насыщения крови кислородом. После осмотра подбирается состав инфузии, включающий препараты для дезинтоксикации, восстановления водно-солевого баланса и нормализации работы органов. Введение растворов осуществляется внутривенно, под контролем специалиста. Длительность процедуры — от 40 минут до 1,5 часов.
    Исследовать вопрос подробнее – поставить капельницу от запоя на дому волгоград

    Reply

  14. Admiring the dedication you put into your site and detailed
    information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of
    date rehashed information. Excellent read!
    I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Reply

  20. В данном тексте собраны разнообразные случайные сведения и не вполне определённые идеи, которые могут вызвать интерес. Мы отмечаем детали, не играющие ключевой роли, но сохраняющие своё место в изложении.
    Подробнее читать – детокс чай для похудения

    Reply

  45. Эта статья сочетает познавательный и занимательный контент, что делает ее идеальной для любителей глубоких исследований. Мы рассмотрим увлекательные аспекты различных тем и предоставим вам новые знания, которые могут оказаться полезными в будущем.
    Нажмите, чтобы узнать больше – https://pomoc.comarchesklep.pl/kontakt

    Reply