How to Make the Decision to Intervene or Go Through Back Channels

I have found that What I call aggressive non-violent communication yields Really good results with some of my rude consultants. The second you stand up for them and you could do it in a really appropriate way That's it. You're now in their book of oh that guy. He doesn't take crap. My personal preference is to always do the dirty work myself. But sometimes speaking about it is best, but sometimes that Kind of frankly passive aggressive route of simply talking to their supervisor the Karen route actually yields better results How have you made the decision of whether you're going to intervene or go through back channels?