Some of North Idaho's leaders fielded this question from the NIBJ: "How local leaders define success: growth vs. stability."

Here are some of their comments:

"As a leader — and someone who has worked with C-suite executives for more than two decades — I don’t believe success is defined by growth or stability alone," said Linda Coppess, president and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber. "It depends on the organization’s vision, goals, stage of development, and external conditions." 

For example, during a crisis like COVID, success for many leaders meant preserving jobs, keeping doors open, maintaining trust and ensuring organizational stability, Coppess said.

"In stronger seasons, success may be measured by growth, innovation, and expanding impact. In my experience, the best leaders know when to protect the foundation and when to push forward. It’s a balancing act," Coppess said. "For me, true success in my current role as the leader of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber is sustainable progress: growing with purpose while maintaining the stability needed to serve our members and community well."

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Dan Gookin said his definition of success for a city is based on the satisfaction of its residents. 

"Are they happy with city government? While a list of things we can improve upon always exists, I'd like to assure the public that the city is providing outstanding services at a reasonable price. I'd like to know that the city is being responsive and that we're keeping the pitchforks and torches at bay," Gookin said.

He said growth is a good problem to have. 

"We don't need to worry about selling Coeur d'Alene," Gookin. "This area sells itself."

Jared McFarland, real estate agent with Century 21 Beutler and Associates, said success is a combination of both growth and stability. 

"It begins with a dream, a vision, or a clearly defined goal. Once that goal is established, the question becomes: Do you enjoy the ride, or do you enjoy the destination?

Early in life and business, much of our focus is on growth," McFarland said. "We work toward our goals, both personally and professionally. This is the ride. Growth is exciting, challenging, and rewarding, but it can also be stressful."

He said growth requires risk, persistence, and a willingness to adapt because what works today may not work tomorrow. 

"We are constantly striving toward an imaginary finish line we have created in our minds. For some, that finish line is financial success. For others, it may be a leadership position, more free time, meaningful experiences, or personal fulfillment," McFarland said.

Eventually, many people reach the goals they once dreamed about. At that point, the focus often shifts from growth to stability, he said. "

"You have arrived at the destination. You have built something valuable. The question becomes: how do you maintain it? More importantly, do you want to maintain it, or do you want to set a new destination and begin the journey again?"

This transition can be surprisingly difficult, McFarland said. 

After years of dedicating your energy and attention to growth, anything else can feel unnatural. If you are not pushing harder, taking risks, or chasing the next opportunity, it may feel as though you are standing still. You know how to grow because you have done it before. You understand the process. So why not continue?

Many people choose exactly that. They stay on the ride. In some cases, this leads to extraordinary achievements, wealth, and influence. However, it can also lead to increased stress, burnout, and the realization that success is meaningless if you never take time to enjoy it, he said.

"As with most things in life, the answer often lies in balance. We need the excitement, challenge, and fulfillment that come from growth, but we also need the wisdom to pause and appreciate what we have built," McFarland said. "We should enjoy the journey while also taking time to enjoy the destination."

Balance looks different for everyone, he said. Some people thrive on the challenge and intensity that growth provides. Others find greater satisfaction in stability, peace of mind, and the ability to enjoy the life they have created. 

"Neither approach is right or wrong. They are simply different definitions of success," he said.

"I do believe there is always some level of growth required, even during periods of stability. I have often compared life to a downward-moving escalator. To remain in the same place, you must continue moving. To advance, you must work harder and move faster. If you stop moving altogether, you eventually find yourself moving backward," McFarland said. 

"The key is to enjoy all of it. Embrace the highs and lows, the challenges and victories, the setbacks and successes. They are all part of the experience. When you reach a goal, take time to appreciate it. Be proud of what you have accomplished. Celebrate the destination before deciding what comes next."

Nick Smoot of the Innovation Collective said every community is moving. 

"Even when we think we are preserving something, we are still moving. Cities do not stay alive by accident. If they stop adapting, stop imagining, and stop creating opportunity for the next generation, they slowly decline," he said.l "A city can die long before the buildings are empty. It dies when people stop believing they have a role in shaping its future."

Smoot said that is why Coeur d’Alene needs a clearer shared vision "of who we are, what we value, and where we are going. Right now, building the city does not always feel like a team sport." Too often, people experience change as something happening to them rather than something they are invited to take action in their own neighborhoods. 

"More rooftops, more traffic, higher prices, and more outside capital may look like success on paper. But if our kids cannot afford to stay here, if local businesses get squeezed out, if civic trust weakens, and if the character of the place gets diluted, then that is not real success. That is motion without purpose," Smoot said.

"To me, success is momentum toward flourishing," he added.

"That means becoming a place where families can build a future, entrepreneurs can start and grow companies, workers can find dignified jobs, young people can see a path for themselves, and the beauty and character of North Idaho are protected rather than consumed."

"The way we get there is not by waiting for one master plan or one heroic leader. It happens through more residents leaning into action through small experiments, local projects, new businesses, better gathering places, youth opportunities, and civic ideas tested in real life, all connected to a larger vision of the dream city we are trying to build together."

Stability matters, but stability should not mean standing still, Smoot said. 

"Growth matters, but growth should not mean losing our soul," he said.

"The strongest communities are not the ones that chase growth blindly or resist change completely. They are the ones willing to ask honestly: where is all this movement taking us, and are we building it together?

"That is how I would define success: positive momentum toward a community where more people can live meaningful, productive, connected lives while preserving the character that made people love North Idaho in the first place," Smoot said.

Richard Jurvelin, Windermere Foundation Rep with the Windermere Real Estate/ Coeur d'Alene Realty, said simply, "growth happens.

"It is continuous for either positive or negative reasons.  We live in an area where the amenities influence a positive impact for growth – people, business, education, etc. Stability in this case becomes a struggle to shape outcomes in a positive direction for personal or community reasons and avoid conflict that impacts progress. Like growth, stability is ever changing.  The goal – maintain or encourage positive actions to establish healthful progress.  The combination of “growth” and “stability” creates challenges and struggles and requires cooperative involvement.   Just get involved; we can make a difference.:

    Gookin
  

    McFarland
  

    Smoot