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 plinko_kz_srpa Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

71,766 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  3. Вы допускаете ошибку. Могу это доказать. Пишите мне в PM, пообщаемся.
    Сегодня продавцов этого продукции много – университеты, типографии, частные «художники» возле метро – и иные. после выпуска остаются «лишние бланки, что идут на продажу, если незаполненных бланков нет, https://www.gt.com.pl/kak-priobresti-rossijskij-diplom-o-vysshem-11/ изготавливаются новые.

    Reply

  7. I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article
    like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if
    all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the
    web will be much more useful than ever before.

    Reply

  9. После звонка специалист клиники «ВитаЛайн» оперативно отправляется по указанному адресу и обычно прибывает в течение 30–60 минут. На месте врач сразу проводит детальную диагностику, оценивая состояние пациента: проверяет пульс, давление, сатурацию, степень интоксикации и наличие хронических болезней. На основании результатов осмотра нарколог разрабатывает индивидуальную схему терапии.
    Разобраться лучше – вызов нарколога на дом новосибирск.

    Reply

  11. Самостоятельно выйти из запоя — почти невозможно. В Санкт-Петербурге врачи клиники проводят медикаментозный вывод из запоя с круглосуточным выездом. Доверяйте профессионалам.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – срочный вывод из запоя

    Reply

  15. Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I fulfillment you get right of entry to consistently fast.

    Reply

  17. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site,
    how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
    I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

    Reply

  18. Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to say that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing in your feeds and even I achievement you access persistently quickly.

    Reply

  22. Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Appreciate it!

    Reply

  31. Компания работает в Москве, и мы заказали продвижение сайтов гугл москва. В столице конкуренция бешеная, но результат приятно удивил: сайт занял первые места в выдаче. Цены абсолютно адекватные, особенно учитывая эффективность. Клиентов стало заметно больше. Могу порекомендовать всем московским предпринимателям — это действительно работает.

    Mihaylov.digital — команда профессионалов в области интернет-маркетинга. Мы делаем SEO, продвижение сайтов по позициям, рекламу и комплексные стратегии. Ждём вас в офисе: Москва, Одесская ул., 2кС, 117638.

    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 several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

    Reply

  34. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and definitely will come back down the road. I want to encourage one to continue your great work, have a nice morning!

    Reply

  41. купить аттестат за 11 класс в санкт петербурге arus-diplom9.ru – купить аттестат за 11 класс в санкт петербурге .

    Reply

  43. После поступления вызова наш нарколог выезжает к пациенту в кратчайшие сроки, прибывая по адресу в пределах 30–60 минут. Специалист начинает процедуру с подробного осмотра и диагностики, измеряя ключевые показатели организма: артериальное давление, частоту пульса, насыщенность кислородом и собирая подробный анамнез.
    Исследовать вопрос подробнее – http://narcolog-na-dom-novosibirsk00.ru/vyzov-narkologa-na-dom-novosibirsk/https://narcolog-na-dom-novosibirsk00.ru

    Reply