PLANNERS IN CONFLICT: EXPERIENCE AND PERCEPTIONS IN CALIFORNIA

This paper presents the findings of in-depth interviews with thirty California planners regarding their experience with and perceptions of conflict on the job. These interviews follow up the California respondents to a national survey of planners in conflict Respondents revealed their perceptions about conflict in planning by reacting to some common statements and hypothetical scenarios. In addition, they discussed their personal experience with conflict, their sense of the effect of conflict on planning offices, and made suggestions for dealing with conflict. The study yields four important conclusions: First, planners emphasized the negative effects of conflict rather than any constructive aspects. Second, respondents did not seem to share a common definition of what constitutes serious or threatening conflict, although they felt more threatened by conflict within their organizations than by conflict initiated from outside sources and those who have experienced past conflict were more sensitive to conflict in general. Third, planners were engaged in conflict as individuals, usually against external antagonists, but did not always receive unified support from their organizations. Finally, planners typically reacted to conflict defensively rather than initiating it strategically, although there were a few cases of principled dissent. The author concludes that planners not only need education and training to assist them in handling conflict as individuals, but also require institutional support from professional organizations and, especially, their employing departments.