How can we teach young people to make good decisions?

Good decision-making is a skill that I consider critical to a happy/successful life. Here is a method I teach to my clients (and eventually to my own little people):

When faced with a moment of choice, ask yourself the following questions.
1. What would I choose according to my personal values (honesty/financial security/loyalty/compassion, etc.)?
2. What is my ultimate goal in this situation (be promoted, support another, expand my leadership, etc.)?
3. What am I committed to (quality family time, exceeding the project goal, meeting the timeline, better health, etc.)?
4. Imagine yourself 1/2/5/20 years from now. What choice will you make today that will move you toward where you want to be in the future?

Oh yeah, and here's the fun part: answering all of these questions thoughtfully before making your decision may not keep you from making a bad one. Indeed, so much of learning these life skills is experiential in nature. "Good" as a quality only exists in its comparison to other qualities like "bad," "better," or "best." It is both expected and required that we all make a few mistakes in order to learn to do things differently. Nonetheless, it seems to me that a decision made in alignment with one's personal values, commitments, goals and future vision will be perfect. And after that perfect choice will be opportunity for another choice, and yet another...

Finally, beneath all of this "how-to" advice on making decisions is one crucial element. As we make choices, we will certainly be judged by others. We'll make good choices, bad choices, and we'll avoid making choices, ignoring the issue with every hope that it will just go away (Of course, that is still making a choice.). The key to success, happiness, power, etc. is owning the choices we make. If you make the best decision, OWN IT. Take responsibility for it and celebrate yourself. Allow others to celebrate with you. When you make a bad decision, OWN IT. Take responsibility for it without looking to lay blame on circumstances or the actions of others. Look for what was missing, consider what your commitment is, and make a powerful choice next time.

In my mind, this philosophy of personal responsibility is one of the most significant gifts we can give to our young people. AND one of the most powerful.