Get ready for opportunities to leapfrog.

Even in the roughest of overall conditions, sometimes opportunities to advance our goals will appear. How can we be ready to seize these opportunities when they present themselves?

In places with well-developed alignment, there may be opportunities — even in hostile landscapes. In states that are innovating authoritarian policies, participants remind us that those policymakers are moving unpopular laws and practices. A version of the old proverb of labor organizing — “The boss organizes the workers” — pertains.

“There’s a slingshot effect that occurs in the midst of backlash. They think they’re pulling us back, but they’re helping build the tension to spring us further forward than where we were when they picked the fight. We need to make sure we’re not flatfooted and realize that’s when the race really begins.” —  scenario exercise participant

In states that are innovating on pro-democracy policies, participants shared a similar insight. In a politically hostile federal political context, their states may be positioned to take bolder action than they might otherwise. In both cases, we must be ready with actions and proposals to meet the moment.