Conflict & Communication

The De-escalation Ladder

Resolve disputes at the lowest possible rung.

Labor disputes escalate predictably — from a quiet conversation to a formal grievance to arbitration, a ULP charge, or a strike. Each rung up costs both sides more. The skill is resolving as low on the ladder as you can.

When to use it

Whenever a problem appears, to decide whether to escalate.

How to use it

1Direct conversation.
2Informal labor-management discussion.
3Formal grievance.
4Mediation.
5Arbitration or NLRB charge.
6Work stoppage — the top rung. Try every lower rung first, in good faith.

Takeaway

Good-faith conduct keeps disputes on the low rungs — bad faith pushes everyone up.

Learn this in a course

Major Fights & What They Teach

Related frameworks

Conflict Modes (Thomas-Kilmann)

The Ladder of Inference

LARA — for hard conversations

All frameworks