The Netherlands, Singapore, and Switzerland have long been high in international rankings of prosperity and well-being. Other countries struggle to achieve success, and some even fall into decline. This research project examines how countries rise to the top and remain in an ever-changing world. What gives them the energy and makes them adaptive? What role do governments play in this? What can administrators do to keep their countries energized and adaptive, from government leaders to members of parliament? When selecting countries, similarities in size and institutional-organizational differences were important criteria. In Singapore, central control prevails, while decentralized self-organization is characteristic in Switzerland. In the Netherlands, there is a mix of both systems. The research reveals that variations in applying these guiding principles are not decisive in achieving top positions. The distinction lies in the interaction between the network architecture, the initial conditions of a country system, and the organization of energy management in the three countries.