Planning the Future: A Guide to Strategic Thinking and Planning for Elected Officials, Public Administrators and Community Leaders(Prepared for Challenge Public Leaderships)

This book is about change, challenge and opportunity. It is about planning for an uncertain future while meeting current social, economic, and environmental demands. In this first book in the Prepared For Challenge Public Leadership Series, acclaimed public sector futurist John Luthy raises profound questions about predictability, probability, and the inevitability of events that will reshape America. More importantly, he presents a proven, simple strategic thinking and planning process that was developed specifically for public agencies to promote efficiency, productivity and measured performance. This book is a 'must read' for every elected official, public administrator and community leader who is committed to dynamic, creative and productive government.

Review :
As we struggle with shrinking budgets and rising public expectations, we need to look for new ways to deliver exceptional public programs and services. John Luthy has opened our eyes to the possibility that solutions to these challenges are within our reach through strategic planning. John has made the complex seem simple and the hidden seem obvious with his Tai-Chi approach to a planning process that builds teams, ownership, and, most importantly, identifies solutions. His affable style, experience in the public sector, quick wit, and humor makes this an entertaining, informative, and applicable read on strategic thinking and planning. -- Kent Cash "Director for Department of Public Works, Cowlitz County, Washington" Contrary to today s populist rage against the very idea of government, John Luthy reminds us that public servants do serve the public, after all. His prescriptions for how such leaders can and should actually lead are as urgent now as they are overdue. As he says, the mounting challenges we face as a society care not a whit about the next election cycle. So John s strategy for finally dealing with difficult issues that can no longer be avoided is itself a public service. -- Rob McManamy "former Editor for Public Works magazine" Strategic planning...boring? John Luthy brings the topic to life, makes it exciting and creates a path for municipal leaders to follow. John's ability to guide municipal leaders to think long-term and big picture in unsurpassed. He doesn't just create strategic plans, he guides and teaches his audience to understand how to do it and then how to use it. His plans won't sit on a shelf and gather dust! -- Edmund M. Henschel "Executive Director for Wisconsin City/County Management Association"