Growth Is Good—Until It Isn’t: What Happens When Leaders Miss the Emotional Side of Development

Across the U.S., towns are growing fast. New homes. New businesses. A stronger tax base.

On paper, it looks like success.

But in public service, growth can bring more than just economic development. It can bring pressure. Friction. Fear of change. And when civic leaders miss the emotional undercurrent of that change, they don’t just risk pushback. They risk losing trust.

What Happens When Communication Falls Flat

Let’s look closer at how this plays out in real communities—and what we can learn from it:

• Harrison, NY: In Harrison, a mayor fast-tracked zoning changes that opened the door for residential development—while he personally stood to benefit from the deal. The optics weren’t good. Residents felt blindsided. The backlash was swift: he was voted out in a GOP primary, and the development was pulled.

Headline: "Developer Puts Controversial Harrison Property Up For Sale After Mayor Loses GOP Primary"

• High Springs, FL A 688-acre development project called Bridlewood is set to nearly double the town's population. Despite strong community concern over traffic, environmental impact, and infrastructure strain, commissioners moved forward.

  
  

Watch the community's response as residents gather to express fears that their town's character is being overwritten, not expanded.

• Franklin, TN During hearings on proposed development, a resident summed up the mood in a single sentence: “We should be supporting the people who live here, not the ones who might someday.” Longtime residents felt pushed aside in favor of prospective growth—an emotional wedge that widened the disconnect between leadership and community.

The community's concern wasn’t just about new buildings—it was about feeling forgotten.

• Gulf Shores, AL In Gulf Shores, traffic is already a daily frustration. So when a new apartment complex was proposed along the Beach Express corridor, residents had one message: enough is enough. One video shows neighbors describing gridlocked roads, safety concerns, and a sense of exhaustion.

  
  

See residents speak up at public hearings where emotion, not data, shaped the conversation.

Irving, Texas

When Las Vegas Sands proposed a multi-billion-dollar casino resort in Irving, residents didn’t just speak out—they showed up. Hundreds packed a town hall. The crowd booed when a company rep cited poll data suggesting local support. Turns out, the company had skipped a critical first step: asking the community what they wanted.

The result: 5,500+ petition signatures, a full withdrawal of the casino plan, and a 6–3 city council vote against gambling.

There was no early engagement, and community concerns weren’t taken seriously until opposition reached a boiling point.

What Ties These Stories Together?

In every one of these towns, you see the same pattern:

• Leaders move faster than communities can process.

• Residents learn about projects late in the game.

• Concerns about traffic, safety, or identity are minimized.

• Messaging focuses on process and data instead of people.

• Trust erodes. Projects stall. Leaders face blowback.

And when civic leaders try to push forward without first showing that they’re listening? It almost always backfires. 

What Civic Leaders Can Do Instead

When leaders listen early, acknowledge concerns openly, and communicate with empathy, communities respond differently.

Whether you’re managing growth in North Carolina or Nevada, it comes down to this:

• Lead with Emotional Intelligence Start by acknowledging what people are feeling—before jumping into the facts.

• Use Tone as a Leadership Tool A calm, steady presence earns trust faster than data points.

• Train Your Team to Respond, Not React Give staff the tools to stay grounded during emotionally charged conversations.

Here’s how that looks at each stage:

Before a Proposal:

• Involve residents in shaping the vision early.

• Ask questions before offering solutions.

During the Process:

• Acknowledge the fear, not just the facts.

• Slow down if the room gets tense.

After a Decision:

• Keep the conversation going.

• Show you’re still listening.