The Johari Window: Awesome Or Average?
The Johari Window: Genius or Ghastly?
The Johari Window is a tool created by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955. It is used by various professionals (e.g., therapists, teachers, business professionals). People use this model to facilitate personal development, increase self awareness, improve communication, and develop group relationships.
The tool is based on the premise that there is public and private information about ourselves. The Johari Window is intended to raise awareness of private information we hide from others (e.g., team members). This knowledge can then be applied to improving communication and relationships.
Johari Window Model
A four-quadrant grid comprises the Johari Window model. Each quadrant represents a different category of personal information. The four areas are:
Open self: An open area of knowledge known to both ourselves and others.
Blind self: Blind areas known to others but not to ourselves.
Hidden self: Hidden areas of information that are known only to ourselves.
Undiscovered self: Unknown areas that neither we nor others are aware of.
Each quadrant contains different information types, each one serving a different purpose. For example, the hidden self contains information that can shed light on anxiety blind spots. The undiscovered self can be explored with a professional to understand hidden psychological barriers to goal progress.
The Johari Window can be used with individuals and in group development activities. When applied to an individual, it can help us become aware of the private information we keep hidden. When applied to group dynamics, it can help us identify areas where members need to focus on inter group relationships.
The Problems
There are several criticisms of the Johari Window. Some argue that it does not consider that we don't always present our authentic selves in public. For example, we may put on a front when we are around people we do not know well to appear more socially acceptable.
Another criticism is that it oversimplifies human behaviour by dividing it into four distinct categories.
Some people have critiqued the lack of understanding of various cultures.
Despite its limitations, the Johari Window remains a popular tool for understanding human behaviour and interpersonal relationships. This is due to its simplicity and ability to be applied in individual and group settings.
Summary
The Johari Window can be a useful framework for understanding individual and interpersonal issues. However, we should know its limitations to know the best time to use this tool.
Further reading:
There are several other resources to develop self-awareness. Here are a few examples:
Julie Smith’s popular book covers several issues that people often struggle to understand.
We can learn much about our ‘relationship’ with ourselves through self-compassion skills.
Some people develop self-knowledge through philosophical and spiritual traditions like the Toltec.
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