Introduction to Introduction to Last Last Planner Planner ...
IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: Roundtable YOU’RE THE...
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Roundtable Session Room 1A17/1A18 IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: YOU’RE THE PLANNER! CAREER DEVELOPMENT SESSION APA NEW YORK-MAY 8, 2017
Transcript of IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: Roundtable YOU’RE THE...
Roundtable Session Room 1A17/1A18
IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: YOU’RE THE PLANNER!
CAREER DEVELOPMENT SESSION APA NEW YORK-MAY 8, 2017
IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT: YOU’RE THE PLANNER CAREER DEVELOPMENT SESSION
Aimee E. Nassif, AICP Chief Planning and Development Officer Olathe, Kansas
Mara M. Perry, AICP Director of Planning and Development Webster Groves, Missouri
Bigger liar Hides information Doesn’t care about the
community Or anyone other than herself Makes stupid decisions
Mara Perry
Liar No ethics Take bribes from developers Doesn’t care Will get fired Incompetent
Aimee Nassif
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
What no one warned you about
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Make a positive impact on people’s lives Help shape communities Promote healthy, active lifestyles Improve quality of life Be a voice to those that don’t have one Create economic opportunities
WHY WE WANTED TO BECOME PLANNERS
Who are our competitors? What do they do? What do they bring to the table?
WHY WE WANTED TO BECOME PLANNERS
What Happened?!
YOUR FIRST PLANNING JOB
AND STRANGE THINGS START HAPPENING
PEOPLE ARE UPSET WITH YOU
Photo credits: KMOV St. Louis; John Fitzhugh SunHerald
COMMUNITY DEVELOPER SUPERVISOR BOARDS/COMMISSIONS ELECTED OFFICIALS
EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME
You are taking bribes from the
developer!
You are horrible and should be
fired!
You are hiding information
from the public!
I am a taxpayer. You work for me
and I’ll talk to you any way I
want!
You think you are so powerful up in your ivory tower looking down at
us don’t you!
You don’t care about the
residents, only yourself!
I am a taxpayer. You work for me
and I’ll talk to you any way I
want!
EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME
You are taking bribes from the
developer!
You are horrible and should be
fired!
You are hiding information
from the public!
You think you are so powerful up in your ivory tower looking down at
us don’t you!
You don’t care about the
residents, only yourself!
You said you’d approve my
project!
You never told me about
these requirements!
You are going to kill
development here!
I am a taxpayer. You work for me
and I’ll talk to you any way I
want!
EVERYTHING IS FAIR GAME
You are taking bribes from the
developer!
You are horrible and should be
fired!
You are hiding information
from the public!
You think you are so powerful up in your ivory tower looking down at
us don’t you!
You don’t care about the
residents, only yourself!
You said you’d approve my
project!
You never told me about
these requirements!
You are going to kill
development here!
You need to approve this
its good for the City
Why are you stopping
progress?
IT CAN AND WILL OCCUR AT THE
SAME TIME
HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE IT ALL?
WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME?
11 TOOLS TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT
ALL
11. EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN
11. EDUCATE AND EXPLAIN
10. KEEP YOUR COOL
9. LISTEN
An answer isn’t always necessary. Sometimes people just want to be heard. The answers may not make them happy. • Are you listening to them? • Do they need to be directed to another
department or agency? • Should they write a letter or e-mail? • Should they discuss their issue at a meeting? Listen to your elected official and supervisor. You will pick up ques, wants, desires of the City before a possibly controversial issue or project comes in.
8. TALK ABOUT IT
Communicate with other staff so that the right message continues to get out. Mixed messages can kill progress you have made. Communicate with your supervisor, boards/commissions or elected officials depending upon your position. Find your support by keeping them involved and informed. No surprises for your boss!
7. DON’T TAKE THE BAIT
Sometimes the answer is “I know this wasn’t what you wanted to hear” • Don’t try to always defend yourself. • Don’t try to respond to all the horrible
things stated or written. • Statements said in frustration can come
back to haunt you.
You will just get sucked into it. Fear of the unknown drives comments about issues or projects that can be very personal.
6. ANTICIPATE NEEDS
Being a planner requires a bit of mind reading. • Think ahead to the concerns that you as a
resident might be feeling if you were in their situation.
• Think about what questions may be asked by commissioners or elected officials in a meeting • What may be a concern? • What you should focus on with your
review? • What do members usually feel is not
addressed?
5. YOU ARE NOT A PUNCHING BAG
If you are being threatened, yelled at, or cursed at, walk away or in some cases hang up. Sometimes we stand there and try to calm people down. That can make it worse.
4. BE PREPARED
With all eyes on you, it is more important than ever to be prepared with your written documents and presentations.
• Confirm the facts of the situation
or request • Know all the regulations • Have copies of the citations • Flush out all possible alternatives
3. BE CONFIDENT
It is easy to start questioning your decision and your talents when people are pulling at you, especially at a public meeting. • Remember why you made the
decision you did • Be open to comments and feedback • Understand that you may change
your mind with new information provided
Do not stop believing in yourself and your skills.
2. REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED THIS JOURNEY
You know you have good intentions, morals, ethics and are a good person. You became a planner to help people and help communities.
1. GO HOME
Go home and relax. Spend time with your family and friends who actually do know you and don’t believe the stuff they may hear or read. Have fun and keep your hobbies. Take a break from all media related to work.
ANY OTHER IDEAS YOU WANT TO
SHARE?
Urban planning Public policy Architecture Land use law Zoning Development reviews Comprehensive planning Public engagement
Skills they give you in school
SKILLS YOU NEED
Be a juggler Be a good listener Be a mind reader Be a liaison Be a teacher Be a puzzle solver Be a mediator
Skills they don’t give you in school
Urban planning Public policy Architecture Land use law Zoning Development reviews Comprehensive planning Public engagement
Skills they give you in school
SKILLS YOU NEED
Why its all worth it
THERE’S GOOD STUFF HERE
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Putting it all together. WRAP UP
Putting it all together.
YOU
Your manager
QUESTIONS?????
THANK YOU
AIMEE E. NASSIF, AICP
CHIEF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
OLATHE, KANSAS
MARA M. PERRY, AICP
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI
