COMMUNICATIONMonths to result

Brinkmanship and Strikes

Use brinkmanship to gain an advantage

Problem it solves

poor communication

Best for

High-stakes, complex negotiations

Not ideal for

Simple, low-stakes negotiations

Overview

Why this framework exists

Brinkmanship is a strategy that involves taking a risk to demonstrate one's commitment to a position, in order to gain an advantage in negotiations. Strikes are a form of brinkmanship, where one side takes a risk to demonstrate its commitment to its position.

Core principles

3 total
  1. Brinkmanship involves taking a risk to demonstrate one's commitment to a position.
  2. Strikes are a form of brinkmanship, where one side takes a risk to demonstrate its commitment to its position.
  3. Brinkmanship can be an effective strategy in high-stakes, complex negotiations.

Steps

2 steps
  1. Identify opportunities for brinkmanship
    Look for opportunities to take a risk to demonstrate one's commitment to a position, such as by going on strike or taking a bold action.
    Pro tipConsider the potential consequences of brinkmanship, including the potential impact on the negotiation outcome.
    WarningFailing to identify opportunities for brinkmanship can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.
  2. Assess the risks and potential benefits of brinkmanship
    Carefully assess the risks and potential benefits of brinkmanship, including the potential impact on the negotiation outcome and the potential consequences of failure.
    Pro tipConsider the potential consequences of brinkmanship, including the potential impact on the negotiation outcome.
    WarningFailing to assess the risks and potential benefits of brinkmanship can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.

Checklist

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Examples

1 cases
High-stakes negotiation

In a high-stakes negotiation, one side uses brinkmanship by going on strike to demonstrate its commitment to its position. The other side is forced to reconsider its position, and the first side gains an advantage in the negotiation.

OutcomeThe first side reaches a more favorable agreement, with a larger share of the pie.

Common mistakes

2 traps
Failing to identify opportunities for brinkmanship
Not identifying opportunities for brinkmanship can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.
Failing to assess the risks and potential benefits of brinkmanship
Not assessing the risks and potential benefits of brinkmanship can lead to a disadvantage in negotiations.

Origin story

How this framework came to be

The concept of brinkmanship is rooted in game theory and has been applied to various real-world scenarios, including high-stakes, complex negotiations. The idea is that by taking a risk to demonstrate one's commitment to a position, a party can gain an advantage in negotiations.

Source

Traced to primary
Source · BOOK
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life
Dixit, Avinash K. · 2008
Open source →