Understand yourself · Learn communication · Play improv
A role-play card game inspired by Friedemann Schulz von Thun's communication square. Eight exaggerated characters, four quadrants, endless constellations.
"Schnabel trifft Ohr" literally means "Beak meets Ear" — the sender's mouth meeting the listener's ear.
English print version in progress. The card deck below is currently available in German. An English-language edition is being prepared — for international workshops, please get in touch.
Important note
This game is inspired by the communication square (Kommunikationsquadrat) by Prof. Dr. Friedemann Schulz von Thun. It is not a personality assessment, but a playful way to make the four sides of any message tangible.
The figures below represent exaggerated communication styles and invite reflection, perspective-shifting, and a shared experience of typical communication dynamics.
Theoretical background
Every message carries four messages at once – verbally or non-verbally, consciously or unconsciously.
What is true / relevant?
"There's no more paper."
What should someone do?
"Please get paper!"
What do I think of you?
"You're my subordinate."
What do I feel / need?
"I need support."
One sentence — four messages. The sender usually emphasises just one quadrant. The listener often hears with just one ear. That gap is exactly where misunderstandings live.
The characters
Click a character to read their full description, signature line, and play recommendations.
the Rational
the Personal
the I-Narrator
the Instructor
Get the game
The complete toolkit for trainers, educators and anyone who wants to teach communication through play.
Communication training based on Schulz von Thun's four-sides model – as an improv card game.
Game setup
The host explains the communication square and the characters.
Each player draws a character – optionally an unmet-need card.
The host draws a goal – optionally a place and relationship.
Scene begins: players try to reach the goal in character.
The host facilitates the debrief.
The golden rule: say "Yes, and"!
Accept every detail your scene partner offers — and build on it. Take your role seriously, but not yourself. Have fun.
Debrief
In training
Schnabel trifft Ohr shows up in my trainings on leadership communication, conflict management and feedback – as an experiential layer that brings the four-sides model out of the slide deck and into a playable scene.
Bring it into a workshop
