MOVE 81 · ESCALATION · PRO
Bring Options Upward
When escalating, present the senior decision-maker with two or three clear options and your recommendation, not just a problem.
Leaders decide faster between options than they solve open problems.
Low riskEscalationLeadership alignmentPrepare for escalationGain commitment
WHY IT WORKS
Senior people are busy and often lack the detail to define solutions themselves. Bringing defined options with trade-offs and a recommendation makes the decision quick, shows judgement and keeps the solution grounded in your knowledge of the situation.
WHEN TO USE IT
- You need a decision from someone more senior.
- The issue has several possible solutions with trade-offs.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
- You genuinely do not know the options and need their input to define them.
- Only one option is viable; present it as a recommendation.
SIGNALS IT FITS
- Your escalations come back as 'what do you suggest?'.
- Decisions take weeks because leaders lack clear choices.
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ETHICAL BOUNDARY
Present options honestly, including risks of your recommendation. Framing other options as worse than they are distorts the decision.
RELATED MOVES
Content version 1 · Drafted by Power Move IQ Editorial · Not yet human-reviewed · Educational decision support, not legal, financial or employment advice.