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 brightest solar spotlight Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

71,381 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  20. В «АльтерМед» используются самые актуальные технологии, прошедшие проверку временем и доказавшие эффективность в тысячах клинических случаев. Выбор методики зависит от тяжести зависимости, состояния здоровья, наличия хронических заболеваний, прошлых попыток лечения и психологической мотивации пациента.
    Подробнее можно узнать тут – https://kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-dolgoprudnyj6.ru/kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-ceny-v-dolgoprudnom

    Reply

  21. I think this is among the most important info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

    Reply

  22. The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

    Reply

  27. You’re so awesome! I do not believe I have read through anything like that before. So nice to find another person with a few unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!

    Reply

  33. Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

    Reply

  36. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
    Extremely helpful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info much.
    I was looking for this certain info for a long time.

    Thank you and best of luck.

    Reply

  43. Когда организм на пределе, важна срочная помощь в Санкт-Петербурге — это команда опытных наркологов, которые помогут быстро и мягко выйти из запоя без вреда для здоровья.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – вывод из запоя санкт-петербург

    Reply

  45. С Вашей проблемой поможет пошаговая инструкция, просто следуйте указаниям, написанным здесь. Ну а если ничего из этого не помогло, то только в сервисный центр обращаться, смотрите и пробуйте

    Reply

  47. Согласен, это забавная штука
    Security Features: Enhance the security of payments through tokenization and biometric scanning. options and rewards: clients have the opportunity get to know various bonuses and rewards in different https://bread-wallet.io/ stores.

    Reply

  50. С Вашей проблемой поможет пошаговая инструкция, просто следуйте указаниям, написанным здесь. Ну а если ничего из этого не помогло, то только в сервисный центр обращаться, смотрите и пробуйте

    Reply