The use of a fictional character deprives this of value. Of course Columbo gets a lot of benefit from his "Oh, just one more thing..." schtick. Columbo is the hero of a detective mystery series. If Columbo didn't solve the mystery in an hour (less commercials!), or if Columbo used the same methods as other contemporary TV detectives, the show wouldn't have been successful.

The question is, can you, an ordinary human, in ordinary circumstances where almost everything is beyond your control, gain benefit from this technique?

There's a similar problem with "$N business lessons of ${HISTORICAL_FIGURE}" - you're not going to invade Russia, or lay siege to Vienna, or conquer the Gauls. Your situation is entirely different. What Napoleon or Saladin or Boudicca are reputed to have done is almost certainly beyond you, and instead is being used to puff up an article containing entirely mundane and well-worn advice.