The Johari Window: A Tool to Understand Yourself and Others

Ever feel like people see you differently than you see yourself? Or maybe you wish you could understand how others perceive you? Feel like an imposter in your role? The Johari Window is a simple model that helps you explore self-awareness and improve communication with others.

The Johari Window has four parts:

1. Open Area: Stuff you know about yourself and others know too. Like your love for coffee or your knack for organizing.

2. Blind Spot: Things others see in you but you do not notice. Maybe you interrupt people without realizing it.

3. Hidden Area: Things you know but keep private. Like your fears or insecurities.

4. Unknown Area: Things no one knows yet. These might come out through new experiences or feedback.

The goal is to grow your Open Area. When more is out in the open, relationships get stronger and communication gets easier.

Using the Johari Window:

• Pick a few trusted friends or coworkers. Ask them to describe you using a list of positive traits. You can find Johari Window word lists online.

• Choose the same number of traits to describe yourself.

• Compare the lists. Traits that match go in the Open Area. Traits others picked but you did not go in your Blind Spot. Traits you picked but others did not go in your Hidden Area.

• Talk about the results. Ask questions like, “Why did you choose that word for me?” or “What makes you see me that way?”

Use what you learn. Share more about yourself to shrink your Hidden Area. Listen to feedback to reduce your Blind Spot. The Johari Window is not just a one-time exercise. It is a mindset. Keep asking for feedback and sharing honestly.