So when is it that we know we need to move down this Ladder of Inference?
I'll suggest to you that the moment that you begin to feel the tension that
comes along with conflict, the stress that you begin to feel,
that could be a signal that you need to examine those beliefs and conclusions and
assumptions that you've made to move up the Ladder of Inference.
Using a process that's referred to as reflection, you may want to move down that
ladder by examining much more critically what those conclusions, assumptions,
interpretations had been to arrive at a better picture of what the facts are.
You can do this individually, without the other person being
particularly skilled in moving down the Ladder of Inference, and
in doing so, you can be proactive in helping to manage the conflict.