Planners
Masterfully conducting strategic organization and actions
Tagline
Poor performance is just piss poor planning
Sometimes Known As
Role
Planners are the masters of strategic organization and planning. They deftly manage both the macro and the micro, grasping the grand scheme while attending to every intricate detail
Master Planners, Strategy Architects, Detail Devotees, Organizers
Jobs a Planner Might Hold
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Education: Academic Program Planner
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Legal: Legal Strategy Planner
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Healthcare: Healthcare Services Planner
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Technology: Digital Transformation Consultant
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Construction: Urban and Regional Planner
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Science: Research Project Planner
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Art: Creative Project Manager
Personality
Planners are methodical, organized, and pragmatic. They are extremely attentive to detail and are strategic in everything they do. They are always thinking about and planning for the future.
Skills
From the grand scheme to the finest detail, planners have the skills needed for success:
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Strategic Planning: Setting an organization's direction and priorities and aligning internal capabilities with external opportunities to achieve its long-term goals.
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Attention to Detail: Thoroughly focusing on all areas involved, no matter how small.
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Time Management: Ensuring a project runs smoothly and is completed on time.
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Resource Allocation: Strategically distributing and optimizing available resources.
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Problem-Solving: Finding solutions to complex challenges.
Nemesis
The Unpredictable: Those who are chaotic and cause unexpected disruptions that throw off the planner’s carefully laid plans.
Frenemy
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Disrupters: Will planners have tension with disrupters, who can upend carefully laid plans with their unconventional thinking?
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Visionaries: While the visionary’s focus on the big picture is important, will it lead to disagreements with planners, who emphasize details?
Traps
For planners, who play a crucial role in organizing and strategizing, there are specific pitfalls to be mindful of:
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Over-Planning: One major trap for planners is the tendency to over-plan. This involves creating excessively detailed plans that leave little room for flexibility or unforeseen changes. Over-planning can lead to inefficiency and an inability to adapt to new situations or information.
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Rigid Adherence: Planners might also fall into the trap of adhering too rigidly to their plans. This rigidity can hinder responsiveness to changing circumstances and can stifle innovation and creativity.
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Tunnel Vision: In their focus on the minutiae of planning, planners can sometimes lose sight of the overall goals and objectives. Getting too caught up in the details can prevent them from seeing the broader context and understanding how each element fits into the larger scheme.
Why They Are Essential For Transformation
Planners ensure the smooth operation and strategic growth of organizations. Their ability to coordinate and manage both the big picture and the finer details is invaluable in navigating complex environments and achieving organizational goals.
Focus For The Planner’s Inner Work: Embracing Uncertainty
For planners, the instinct is often to map out every detail, ensuring predictability and control. However, an essential aspect of their inner work involves embracing uncertainty. While meticulous planning is valuable, it's equally crucial for planners to cultivate comfort with life's inherent unpredictability. Recognizing that not every twist and turn can be anticipated or strategized allows for flexibility, adaptability, and growth amidst unforeseen challenges and opportunities.
On The Planner’s Bookshelf
To support their journey in reconciling with the unpredictable and nurturing their inner selves, planners might consider delving into the following books:
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The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. A deep dive into the world of unpredictable events and how they shape our lives.
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Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion by Pema Chödrön. A guide to finding peace and understanding in the midst of life's uncertainties.
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Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by Adrienne Maree Brown. An exploration into the organic ways in which change happens, inspired by patterns in nature.
About The Planner
Planners are the changemakers behind the seamless arrangement of complex projects and initiatives. They're experts at conducting strategic organization and action, adeptly managing the overarching vision and minutiae that make up the grand scheme. Their ability to grasp the macro and micro elements of projects is unparalleled. They aren't just about organization—but about envisioning a path forward and charting the course to get there.
Planners are the backbone of any successful operation, ensuring that every component, no matter how small, aligns with the larger goal. Their strategic planning skills, exceptional time management, resource allocation, and problem-solving abilities enable them to turn visions into tangible realities. They navigate through chaos and disarray, bringing order and clarity to complex situations.
However, their greatest strength can also be a potential pitfall—the tendency to over-plan or adhere too rigidly to a plan without room for adaptation. One crucial aspect of a planner's growth involves embracing uncertainty and learning to adapt plans as circumstances evolve. This enhances their effectiveness and ensures their plans remain relevant and responsive to the dynamic nature of the world. In a landscape constantly changing, planners are the architects of progress, transforming ideas into actionable strategies that drive transformation and growth.
Planners In Real Life
Here are some notable individuals from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds who have made significant impacts as planners:
Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda, is widely recognized for his role in planning and executing the remarkable transformation of Rwanda after the 1994 genocide. Under his leadership, Rwanda has seen significant advancements in health, education, and economic growth, showcasing his strategic planning abilities. Kagame's vision and systematic approach have been pivotal in turning Rwanda into a model of development and stability in Africa.
Atul Gawande, a prominent surgeon and writer, is celebrated for his planning and innovation in healthcare. His initiatives, such as the World Health Organization's Safe Surgery Saves Lives program, demonstrate his ability to plan and implement systematic improvements in healthcare delivery, particularly in low-resource settings.
Jan Gehl is a globally recognized urban designer and planner, known for his focus on improving urban environments. His work emphasizes the importance of public spaces and pedestrian-friendly urban planning. Gehl's influence can be seen in cities like Copenhagen, where he has been instrumental in transforming the cityscape to be more livable and human-centered.
Quotes
"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day."
— E.B. White
"Be realistic: Plan for a miracle"
― Osho
