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 DonaldSnisy Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

192,485 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  23. Алгоритм одинаково прозрачен в обоих форматах. Сначала — экспресс-диагностика: уровень сознания, сатурация, пульс, давление, температура, оценка неврологического статуса и обезвоживания. Затем врач формирует индивидуальную инфузионную схему: регидратационные растворы, коррекция электролитов, поддержка печени и нервной системы, адресная симптоматическая помощь (сон, тревога, тошнота, головная боль). Темп и объём подбираются по переносимости — без «универсальных коктейлей» и лишних препаратов.
    Узнать больше – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-pushkino7.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-kruglosutochno-v-pushkino/

    Reply

  24. В острых случаях наши специалисты оперативно приезжают по адресу в Раменском городском округе, проводят экспресс-оценку состояния и сразу приступают к стабилизации. До прибытия врача рекомендуем обеспечить доступ воздуха, убрать потенциально опасные предметы, подготовить список принимаемых лекарств и прошлых заболеваний — это ускорит диагностику. Особенно критичны первые 48–72 часа после прекращения употребления алкоголя: именно на этом промежутке повышается риск делирия и сердечно-сосудистых осложнений. Понимание этих временных рамок помогает семье действовать вовремя и осознанно.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – skoraya-narkologicheskaya-pomoshch-ramenskoe

    Reply

  25. Наши специалисты в Ростове-на-Дону имеют многолетний опыт работы в области наркологии и готовы помочь вам на каждом этапе лечения.
    Ознакомиться с деталями – срочный вывод из запоя

    Reply

  28. Hi I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Aol for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great work.

    Reply

  30. В Ростове-на-Дону клиника «ЧСП№1» предоставляет услуги по выводу из запоя. Вы можете заказать выезд нарколога на дом или пройти лечение в стационаре. Все процедуры проводятся анонимно и с соблюдением конфиденциальности.
    Изучить вопрос глубже – вывод из запоя на дому круглосуточно

    Reply

  41. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.

    Reply

  45. AlcoholDubaiEE — витрина, где премиальные позиции встречают демократичные хиты: Hennessy VS и XO, Jose Cuervo, Johnnie Walker Red Label, Bacardi Breezer, Smirnoff Ice, Chablis и Sauvignon Blanc. Страницы с товарами содержат происхождение, выдержку, отзывы и дегустационные заметки, что упрощает выбор. Оформляйте заказы с понятными ценами в долларах и быстрой доставкой по городу. Откройте ассортимент на https://alcoholdubaee.com/ и подберите бутылку к ужину, сет к вечеринке или подарок с характером.

    Reply