Generally rare opportunities that offer great potential value to the country and face little complexity or barriers to implementation (e.g., Montreal Protocol). Jackpots are reasonably simple actions that significantly impact quality of life. These choices are easy, high-impact—and rare. Jackpot choices often appear at singular historical moments, especially when new technologies create simple solutions to longstanding challenges. Jackpots are hard to create deliberately—so when they appear, they should be seized.

Opportunities with great potential value to the country, especially in the longer term, but will need to overcome significant expected challenges. Bold bets are high-risk—and have the potential to deliver significant rewards over the long term and make a highly positive impact on quality of life. A bold bet’s success ultimately depends on courageous leaders who are able and willing to make difficult choices and take decisive action. They most often comprise the three C’s: they are complex, they are contentious, and they are courageous.

Opportunities that provide limited value but are also relatively simple to implement (e.g., creating TFSAs, establishing the long-form census). Simple wins tend to be plentiful, relatively uncomplicated, and have a small but positive impact. These choices are often wise, but they’re unlikely to transform a business, country, or society.

Opportunities that provide limited value but are also relatively simple to implement (e.g., creating TFSAs, establishing the long-form census). Simple wins tend to be plentiful, relatively uncomplicated, and have a small but positive impact. These choices are often wise, but they’re unlikely to transform a business, country, or society.