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 Diplomi_sosl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

262,715 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  3. Экстренная наркологическая служба в Москве от Narcology Clinic предлагает оперативный выезд врача на дом. Срочный детокс, стабилизация и круглосуточная поддержка пациента с полным соблюдением конфиденциальности.
    Подробнее – http://skoraya-narkologicheskaya-pomoshch12.ru/http://skoraya-narkologicheskaya-pomoshch12.ru

    Reply

  8. Типография «Изумруд Принт» на цифровой печати специализируется. Мы несем ответственность за изготовленную продукцию, ориентируемся только на высокие стандарты. Выполняем заказы оперативно и без задержек. Ваше время ценим! Ищете Заказать полиграфию? Izumrudprint.ru – здесь вы можете ознакомиться с нашими услугами. С удовольствием на все вопросы ответим. Добиваемся лучших результатов и гарантируем выгодные цены. Ко всем пожеланиям заказчиков мы прислушиваемся. Обратившись к нам однажды, вы обретете надежного партнера и верного друга.

    Reply

  9. Конечно Вы правы. В этом что-то есть и я думаю, что это отличная мысль.
    For example, keno lemon casino promo code is a gambling game/ game in style lottery, and here players prefer a set of numbers from a predefined range.

    Reply

  22. Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a hard time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    Reply

  29. It is the best time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy.
    I’ve learn this submit and if I may I wish to counsel you
    some interesting things or tips. Maybe you could write subsequent articles regarding
    this article. I wish to learn even more issues about it!

    Reply

  48. https://information73838.blogminds.com/una-revisiГіn-de-selecciГіn-de-personal-33398846

    El proceso de atraer y elegir candidatos es esencial para el desempeño de cualquier negocio.
    Tener las personas adecuadas en los roles estratégicos potencia los resultados en productividad.

    1. Identificar el puesto ideal
    Antes de iniciar el proceso de reclutamiento, es vital tener claro el perfil del candidato que la empresa busca. Esto incluye competencias, experiencia y valores que se alineen con la cultura de la organización.

    2. Canales de reclutamiento
    Hoy en día, las organizaciones pueden aprovechar plataformas digitales como LinkedIn, además de referencias internas para conseguir al mejor talento.
    Combinar fuentes incrementa la posibilidad de reclutar candidatos de calidad.

    3. Preselección y entrevistas
    Una vez recibidas las solicitudes, se debe filtrar a los perfiles que más se acercan a los requisitos.
    Después, las reuniones sirven para evaluar no solo la experiencia del candidato, sino también su actitud con la empresa.

    4. Pruebas y evaluaciones
    Para garantizar que el profesional seleccionado cumple con lo esperado, se pueden implementar pruebas técnicas, análisis de personalidad o ejercicios prácticos.
    Esto minimiza el riesgo de error al contratar.

    5. Selección definitiva
    Tras el proceso de evaluación, se procede de seleccionar al candidato que mejor cumple con los requisitos.
    La comunicación clara y un plan de integración son fundamentales para asegurar que el nuevo empleado se adapte rápido.

    6. Optimización del proceso
    Un sistema de selección nunca es estático.
    Analizar indicadores como tiempo de contratación hace posible ajustar la estrategia y perfeccionar los resultados.

    En resumen, el reclutamiento y selección de personal es mucho más que cubrir puestos.
    Es una inversión en el futuro de la empresa, donde atraer al talento correcto define su crecimiento sostenible.

    Reply