prickly people in the workplace

Why do we tolerate porcupines in the workplace?

Why do we tolerate porcupines in the workplace?

Nobody likes a porcupine, so why do we let them stay? Nine steps to move their behaviour up — or move them off the team. Revised August 2026, because tip nine used to tell you to shrug off a bullying claim.

Holding Performance Conversations: It’s Not Personal, Business is a Team Sport

Holding Performance Conversations: It’s Not Personal, Business is a Team Sport

Holding performance conversations is a critical skill that leaders need to master, this blog explores the 'how' and 'why' of enabling organisational shift and people development.

Prickly People Provoke Poor Performance….Move ‘Em Up or Move ‘Em Out!

Scope Vision notice card. This article has moved to Why do we tolerate porcupines in the workplace, superseded August 2026.

This article has been superseded. I wrote this in February 2016 and rewrote it properly in August 2017 — then revised that version again in August 2026, because tip nine told you to shrug off a bullying claim and that advice was wrong. The current article lives here: Why do we tolerate porcupines in the workplace? Same porcupines. Better advice.