Teaching Teens Healthy Cooperation and Respect

By Bruce L. Humphries | Triumph Youth Services LLC

Introduction

As we continue our *7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens* series, Week 9 brings us to **Habit 4: Think Win-Win**. At Triumph Youth Services, this habit is foundational for repairing relationships, resolving conflict, and teaching teens to see the world through a lens of cooperation—not competition.

What Is ‘Think Win-Win’?

Thinking Win-Win means striving for solutions where everyone benefits. It’s based on the belief that there’s enough success, respect, and opportunity to go around. For teens, this means learning to say: *“I can win, and so can you.”*

Why It’s Hard for Troubled Teens

Many of our students come from environments where survival meant looking out for yourself first—or worse, stepping on others to get ahead. They may see relationships as power struggles. Habit 4 teaches them: – Empathy – Collaboration – Compromise without losing integrity

How Triumph Builds Win-Win Thinkers – Conflict resolution groups(PPC) and role-plays – Peer leadership and mentoring opportunities – Group therapy focused on perspective-taking – Encouraging group accountability over competition

What Parents Can Do

You can support this habit at home by: – Modeling Win-Win thinking in your own conflicts – Encouraging teens to find shared solutions with siblings or friends – Reinforcing the idea that others don’t have to lose for them to succeed

Conclusion

Habit 4 transforms the way teens see themselves and others. It helps them break cycles of blame and conflict and instead focus on cooperation and shared goals. At Triumph Youth Services, we believe that healing happens best in connection—and *Think Win-Win* is one of the strongest bridges we build to encourage co-regulation.