Planning theory based on Habermassian ideas of rationality has been criticized as inhibiting creativity, rendering it incapable of dealing with pressing social problems. This critique implicitly assumes a traditional view of communication and language, one not matching actual life experience. Our “pragmatic-communicative” approach—”dialogical planning”—draws on a nontraditional view: communication as interpretation. This encourages creativity and facilitates innovation through flexibility and divergence, yet seeks convergence by connecting new ideas to our web of existing concepts and beliefs. Planners can better stimulate creativity and innovation if they understand and employ this pragmatic view of communication and language.