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 zaimi_nqEr Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

270,515 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  6. Ich bin vollig hin und weg von King Billy Casino, es ist ein Online-Casino, das wie ein Konig regiert. Die Auswahl im Casino ist ein wahres Kronungsjuwel, mit Live-Casino-Sessions, die wie ein Festbankett strahlen. Der Casino-Service ist zuverlassig und furstlich, antwortet blitzschnell wie ein koniglicher Erlass. Auszahlungen im Casino sind schnell wie ein koniglicher Marsch, manchmal wurde ich mir mehr Casino-Promos wunschen, die glanzvoll sind. Insgesamt ist King Billy Casino ein Casino mit einem Spielspa?, der wie ein Kronungsfest funkelt fur Spieler, die auf majestatische Casino-Kicks stehen! Und au?erdem die Casino-Seite ist ein grafisches Meisterwerk, Lust macht, immer wieder ins Casino zuruckzukehren.
    king billy casino no deposit bonus codes 2019|

    Reply

  13. Je suis accro a DBosses, ca offre une aventure palpitante. Il y a une multitude de titres captivants, incluant des jeux de table sophistiques. L’assistance est efficace et chaleureuse, joignable via chat ou email. Le processus est clair et sans complications, parfois les offres pourraient etre plus genereuses. En fin de compte, DBosses garantit un divertissement de haut niveau pour les fans de jeux modernes ! En plus le site est style et bien concu, facilite une immersion totale.
    dbosses casino bonus|

    Reply

  24. трипскан вход Tripscan win: Фраза “Tripscan win” является маркетинговым слоганом или выражением, которое подчеркивает преимущества использования сервиса Tripscan. “Win” в данном контексте означает “победа”, “выгода” или “успех”. Это подразумевает, что пользователи, использующие Tripscan, получают лучшие цены, экономят время и усилия при планировании путешествий, и в конечном итоге “выигрывают” от использования сервиса. Этот слоган может использоваться в рекламных кампаниях, социальных сетях и других маркетинговых материалах для привлечения новых клиентов и повышения лояльности существующих пользователей.

    Reply

  29. Your style is very unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
    Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.

    Reply

  36. Je kiffe grave Gamdom, c’est une plateforme qui envoie du lourd. La gamme est une vraie pepite, avec des slots qui claquent grave. L’assistance est au top du top, offrant des reponses qui petent. Les gains arrivent en mode TGV, des fois des bonus plus reguliers ce serait la classe. En gros, Gamdom c’est du lourd a tester direct pour les fans de casinos en ligne ! Et puis le design est une bombe visuelle, ajoute un max de swag.
    gamdom $5 giftcard|

    Reply

  37. как часто вы говорите своим https://www.falconetti.ch/contatti/ мамам слово «люблю»? День матери – это прекрасный повод сказать «спасибо» нашим мамочкам, подарить им тёплые искренние слова, вновь и вновь повторить, как сильно мы их любим.

    Reply

  41. 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.
    Получить дополнительные сведения – наркологическая помощь москве

    Reply

  43. I am extremely impressed with your writing
    skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid
    theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s
    rare to see a great blog like this one these days.

    Reply

  49. Hello excellent blog! Does running a blog like this take a massive amount work? I have virtually no understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyhow, should you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject however I just needed to ask. Cheers!

    Reply