Columbos Rules®

TARGET: Solve conflicts without confrontation, without breaking porcelain.    

TARGET GROUP: All those who want to solve situations loaded with conflict in such a way that the participating parties also still are able to and want to work together.
Especially all who do not have an authority to issue directives to other parties [Project management, cooperation relationships, communication with superiors, inter-cultural communication, generally sensitive relationships ... ]

METHOD: The psychology of successful communication was set in practical, usable rules, which in the background always influence the relationship to the partner in meetings in a positive manner - whether you think of it or not.

The rules were adopted from the TV inspector Columbo, who always had to solve tricky cases in the very sensitive surroundings of important people, where his Police badge really was of no use as a sign of his formal power.

Therefore, he uses a series of interesting questioning techniques which go further than the fictional charecteristic 'Ah, I have just one more question...'.

During training we will analyse a film together which decodes the communication techniques behind this, and will train their use in practical examples from the everyday lives of the participants.

The secret of how Columbo got his skills will also be lifted here. Behind this character is hidden an amazingly simple principle. It is at the same time also the guarantee factor for the success in putting the theory into practice, something like a mental autopilot.

EXAMPLE:

To each of the 7 points belong three rules some of which are named below:

1. Collect the facts!
» Trust your 7th sense.

2. Ah, I have just one more question ...!
» Ask unanswered questions.

3. Throw a stone in the water, wait and see what happens!
» Drop little pieces of information.
» Tell stories.

4. Give the others a good reason to talk to you!

5. Observe the emotions!
» Strong needs are hidden behind strong emotions, use them.
» Play along, accept the rules of the others for as long as possible.


6. Just when it gets tight - stay objective!
» Trying is better than fighting.




7. Ease cooperation for the others!
» Build a golden bridge.


Use: You get a maximum amount of information; protect yourself against rash judgements; let the others keep face during criticism; are on the safe side, when you yourself are wrong; eliminate time-consuming useless discussions; replace the question of guilt with a method of resolutuion and leave the impression of a stress resistant partner who is willing to cooperate.  Excellent to use when the relationship or the cultural background is sensitive