Building self-awareness

Johari Window

The Johari Window is a tool used to illustrate and increase the degree of self-awareness and mutual understanding between individuals or groups. This technique was proposed by two American researchers, Joe Luft and Harry Ingham, as one of the results of research on group dynamics conducted in the 1950s at the University of California. Currently, this tool is widely used in coaching. It is also used as a technique to improve the communication process in a group, which makes it a useful method supporting the conflict management process. You can use them both for self-discovery and for getting feedback from other people.

Step 1:
Open area

Freedom of information exchange between a person and a group. This section contains traits, feelings, behaviors, statements, knowledge, skills, and talents that we are aware of and willingly share with others. As familiarity and trust grow, this window gets bigger and bigger.

Ask yourself the question:
What is in my “open area” that I share with others?

Step 2:
Hidden area

Information that we are aware of but do not share with others. These can be taboo subjects, secrets, very personal data, or embarrassing experiences, thoughts, feelings, fears, desires, and fantasies, which is why we keep them secret from others.

Ask yourself the question:
How can I find out more about my “blind” area?

Step 3:
Blind Area

This contains aspects of our personality that are unknown to us but known to others. These are often unintentional messages, such as our reactions, gestures, and habits, which we are not always aware of. This area is often a problematic area because it can be associated with a distorted vision of ourselves, a lack of self-acceptance, an inability to accept criticism, etc.

Ask yourself:
How can I learn more about my blind area?

Step 4:
Unknown area

Our traits, skills, feelings, or fears that no one knows about, not even ourselves. They are hidden “under the surface”, so we are not aware of them. An example could be some trauma from early childhood that we have long forgotten or it was suppressed by other memories, and yet it has an impact on current relationships with other people. This area changes along with the feedback we receive and by observing our behavior during new situations.

Ask yourself the question:
What can I discover in the “unknown” area?

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