Interesting points and I agree with most of them. Issue pops up when one wants to be in charge of the change but is unable to due to either hierarchy or politics at work, or due to emotional situation at home. But this is not to dissuade your line of thought. I am reaching 50 and people around me are getting stubborn by the year (probably me too). I do agree that the young should have the mindset you highlighted. More than anything else it will remove the victim mentality that a lot of us hide under.
For your friend, my one piece of advice will be that while it is great to assume what another person might feel or think, like it happens in books and movies, it is much more honest and light on the soul to just speak things out and discuss it. I know a lot of my friends and family think I am a bit crazy and bling to not understand the non-spoken behavior around us. It is not that I don't see or assume, that is a basic trait of mankind to try and make sense of everything. However, it is unfair to the other when you assume or think for them without having any context of what is happening. I see in my closest relation where people assume I am doing something for one reason and I know for a fact that I am doing it for another reason. So my golden rule is that, other than your partner, accept what people say and see how they act but don't assume their intentions or drivers unless they have specifically mentioned them. This will reduce a lot of stress in our own lives as well in others lives too :) At least that has been my experience.