Planners on Planning: Leading Planners Offer Real–Life Lessons on What Works, What Doesnt, and Why

Perhaps at no time in history have we experienced social, political, and economic changes occurring as rapidly as today. As a result, planners and other public officials are being asked to address critical community needs better, faster, and with fewer resources than ever before. Planners on Planning offers pragmatic information on the realities of day–to–day practice from some of the most innovative, respected, and visionary leaders in the planning profession today. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the book provides straightforward lessons from today′s most effective planners on the core values, skills, and techniques needed for success. Through personal, real–life examples from the trenches, these experts explain in their own words what works, what doesn′t, and why. Their invaluable first–hand advice includes: Ten habits of highly effective planners Commitments that enable planners to increase effectiveness and productivity Guidelines for survival and success when dealing with the politics of planning Principles and practices for effective visioning and goals–setting Tips for gaining credibility and trust Operating principles for top–quality customer service Advice on becoming an effective planning director with job longevity Why and how to become more entrepreneurial The planning profession is in the midst of great change and is actively reinventing itself—developing new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking about communities. With this book, planners will learn from the experiences of some of America′s best planners how to restructure, reinvent, and renew the practice of their profession.

LESSONS ON PERSONAL SUCCESS. 1. Pursuing Effectiveness and Personal Success in the Next Era (Norman Whitaker). 2. How to Become a Successful Planner (Sergio Rodriguez). 3. The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Planners (Richard C. Bernhardt). 4. Five Commitments That Can Make a Difference (Paul A. Bergman). 5. What They Don′t Teach You in School (Jim Reid). 6. Thirty How–To′s for Success (Paul C. Zucker). 7. Organizing and Managing for Success (Keith L. Cubic). LESSONS ON POLITICS. 8. Guidelines for Survival and Success (Linda L. Davis). 9. The Principles of Community Alignment and Empowerment (Gene Boles). 10. Making a Difference with Equity Planning (Norman Krumholz). 11. A New Vision on Collaborative Public Service (Elizabeth L. Hollander). LESSONS ON EFFECTIVENESS. 12. Core Values and Principles for Effective Planning (Robert W. Becker). 13. Visioning for Tangible Results (John A. Lewis). 14. The Five Principles of Effective Practice in a Participatory Democracy (V. Gail Easely). 15. Tooling Up for Effective Planning (Angela N. Harper). 16. It Seemed Lie a Good Idea at the Time (Marjorie W. Macris). LESSONS ON CUSTOMERS. 17. Gaining Credibility and Trust Through Teaching, Patience, and Timing (Robert W. Marriott Jr.). 18. The Six Operating Principles of Effective Customer Service (Bruce W. McClendon). 19. Helping Customers Solve Their Problems (Ray Quay). 20. The Planner as Entrepreneur (Floyd Lapp). 21. Attitude, Professionalism, and Opportunity (William W. Bowdy). 22. Understanding and Improving the Management of Planning Agencies (Stuart Meck). Conclusion: Lessons Learned. Afterword (Ted Gaebler).

BRUCE W. MCCLENDON is director of planning and development for Orange County, Florida. He is a past president of the American Planning Association (APA) and a recipient of the APA′s Distinguished Service Award. The author of two books and many articles, McClAndon has more than twenty–five years of local government planning experience. ANTHONY JAMES CATANESE is president of Florida Atlantic University. A practitioner and educator with extensive experience in urban planning and development, he has consulted on projects on three continents. He is a charter member of the American Institute of Certified Planners as well as the author of eleven books and more than one hundred articles.

"One of planning′s foremost academic leaders and one of its leading practitioners have joined forces to produce an unprecedented book that bridges the gap between planning theory and planning practice." (Eric Damian Kelly, president, American Planning Association; and dean, College of architecture and Planning, Ball State University) "This insightful book delivers practical advice and guidance based on the real–life experiences of some of this country′s best planners." (Frank So, executive director, American Planning Association) "One day with this practical, hands–on guide to successful practice can save you years of trial and error." (Ted Gaebler, coauthor of Reinventing Government) "Take some time off and read this book before you go back to work. It′s that good!" (Jim Duncan, former president, American Planning Association)