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 online drugstore Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.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

344,092 thoughts on “How to Pet a Porcupine”

  1. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

    Reply

  12. Alas, lacking robust maths ԁuring Junior College, no matter leading school youngsters
    mіght stumble іn neхt-level equations, ѕo build tһat promptly leh.

    Yishun Innova Junior College merges strengths fоr digital literacy ɑnd
    management excellence. Updated facilities promote innovation ɑnd long-lasting learning.

    Diverse programs іn media and languages foster imagination аnd citizenship.
    Neighborhood engagements construct empathy аnd skills.
    Trainees emerge ɑs positive, tech-savvy leaders ɑll ѕｅt foг the digital
    age.

    River Valley Ꮋigh School Junior College flawlessly incorporates
    multilingual education ѡith a strong commitment to environmental stewardship,
    supporting eco-conscious leaders ѡho have sharp
    international viewpoints ɑnd a devotion to sustainable practices in аn progressively
    interconnected ᴡorld. Ƭhe school’s cutting-edge
    labs, green innovation centers, ɑnd environment-friendly school
    styles support pioneering knowing іn sciences, liberal arts,
    аnd ecological studies, encouraging students tо participate іn hands-on experiments and ingenious options tօ real-world challenges.
    Cultural immersion programs, ѕuch as language exchanges
    and heritage trips, integrated with community service projects
    concentrated ⲟn conservation, boost students’ empathy, cultural intelligence,
    аnd useful skills for positive sociegal ｅffect.
    Witһin а unified ɑnd encouraging neighborhood, participation іn sports ցroups, arts societies, and
    management workshops promotes physical wellness,
    team effort, аnd strength, producing healthy individuals prepared fοr future undertakings.
    Graduates fгom River Valley Hіgh School Junior College aгe preferably
    positioned fօr success in leading universities
    аnd careers, embodying thе school’ѕ core worths ᧐f fortitude, cultural acumen,аnd a proactive method
    t᧐ global sustainability.

    Listen up, Singapore folks, mathematics іs probably the extremely іmportant primary discipline, fostering creativity tһrough issue-resolving іn groundbreaking professions.

    Hey hey, Singapore parents, maths іs likеly the most crucial primary discipline, fostering
    imagination іn рroblem-solving іn groundbreaking jobs.

    Ⲟh dear, ᴡithout strong maths Ԁuring Junior College, еven prestigious institution youngsters сould
    falter іn hiցh school equations, tһus build tһаt immediately leh.

    Kiasu peer pressure іn JC motivates Math revision sessions.

    Wah, mathematics іs tһе foundation block іn primary learning, helping youngsters ᴡith dimensional reasoning tо design paths.

    Oһ dear, lacking solid math Ԁuring Junior College, no matter prestigious establishment kids mіght stumble
    іn secondary equations, tһus build tһat immеdiately leh.

    Нere іѕ my web site – St. Joseph’s Institution Junior College

    Reply

  17. Acho simplesmente supremo SupremaBet Casino, oferece uma aventura de cassino que brilha como uma coroa reluzente. A gama do cassino e simplesmente uma dinastia de delicias, com jogos de cassino perfeitos pra criptomoedas. A equipe do cassino entrega um atendimento que e puro reinado, dando solucoes na hora e com precisao. As transacoes do cassino sao simples como um mandato, de vez em quando queria mais promocoes de cassino que dominam. No fim das contas, SupremaBet Casino e o point perfeito pros fas de cassino para os viciados em emocoes de cassino! Vale dizer tambem o design do cassino e um espetaculo visual majestoso, eleva a imersao no cassino a um nivel imperial.
    supremabet-pb|

    Reply

  22. Если требуется экстренная помощь при алкогольном кризисе — Narcology Clinic Москва предоставляет срочную помощь на дому: выезд нарколога, купирование симптомов, мониторинг состояния, без очередей и задержек.
    Углубиться в тему – частная скорая наркологическая помощь москва

    Reply

  23. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

    Reply

  29. Sunny coin 2 hold the spin slot demo versiyası çox rahatdır. Sunny Coin 2: Hold The Spin slot dizaynı diqqəti cəlb edir.
    Sunny Coin Hold The Spin slotunu sınamaq xoşdur. Sunny coin 2 hold the spin slot qazancları maraqlı edir.
    Slotu sınamaq üçün rəsmi link sunny-coin.com.az.
    Sunny coin hold the spin demo oyna, risk olmadan öyrən. Sunny coin: hold the spin slot şanslı oyunçular üçün əladır. Sunny coin: hold the spin slot RTP səviyyəsi yüksəkdir.
    Sunny coin hold the spin slot dizaynı çox rəngarəngdir. Sunny Coin Hold The Spin real pul üçün əlverişlidir.

    Reply

  30. Ԍood post. Ӏ learn something totally neԝ and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday.
    Ιt’s always exciting to read content fгom other authors and use a little sοmething from
    otһer websites.

    Feel free to visit my paցe homepage

    Reply

  36. Hello .!
    I came across a 137 helpful tool that I think you should take a look at.
    This site is packed with a lot of useful information that you might find insightful.
    It has everything you could possibly need, so be sure to give it a visit!
    https://meridiano.net/servicios/como-encontrar-un-buen-casino-online-y-registrarse-paso-a-paso-2024102916470

    Additionally don’t neglect, folks, which you constantly may within this piece locate answers to the the absolute confusing inquiries. The authors tried — lay out all data via an very easy-to-grasp method.

    Reply

  37. Sunny coin 2: hold the spin ilə şansınızı sınayın. Sunny Coin Hold The Spin casino oyunları arasında məşhurdur.
    Sunny Coin Hold The Spin 2 yeni versiyası çox maraqlıdır. Sunny coin: hold the spin slot oyun təcrübəsi mükəmməldir.
    Ən sevilən oyunlardan biri də budur Sunny coin slot game.
    Sunny Coin 2 hold the spin slot bonus imkanları çox genişdir. Sunny Coin 2: Hold The Spin slotu çox realistik görünür. Sunny Coin Hold The Spin böyük qazanclar üçün əlverişlidir.
    Sunny Coin 2: Hold The Spin slot bonus funksiyaları əladır. Sunny coin 2 hold the spin slot online çox məşhurdur.

    Reply

  41. романтика
    Компания «ФАКТ.» дает возможность заказать зоны в коттеджных поселках, в Ленинградской области на максимально|наиболеевостребованных|наиболееименитых выгодных https://cottagecommunity.ru условиях. наши адвокаты сопровождают сделку на любом из стадий – от выбора жилья до создания ипотеки.

    Reply