It’s time to jump through the window! 

Johari Window

A couple of years before I was born two American psychologists - Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham - created a simple but powerful model to help people better understand their relationship with themselves and others. Of course, it was much later that I first came across the model which they named after themselves - the Johari Window.

From the first time I came across Johari I was struck by its simplicity and clarity. What I wasn’t really prepared for was the subtlety of the model and how I could use it to support my personal and business development.

The model itself is made up of four ‘windows’ through which we can see different aspects of each of our relationships.

Arena - I know, You know

The Arena (or Open) ‘window’ is that part of us that we are aware of and that others know about us. This could include facts that are in the public domain but may also include our attitudes, behaviour, motivation and values.

Façade - I know, You don’t know

The Façade (or Hidden) ‘window’ contains all that we know or think we know about ourselves but which is not known by others. For example, it’s not uncommon for us to keep information about our health or wealth private or hide our most earnest hopes and desires and our deepest fears and regrets.

Blind Spot - I don’t know, You know

Each of us has a Blind Spot; a ‘window’ which contains all that others may say or think about us but which they have not shared together with ideas, opportunities and insights that they may know or understand but we know nothing about. 

Potential - I don’t know, You don’t know

The final ‘window’ represents the unknown; that which is not yet known by us or our peers. It may include behaviour or motivations that no one recognises but it can equally contain limitless possibilities for growth and development.

Exploring our potential

In considering how to explore or exploit our potential we need to turn the unknown into the known; this comprises two simple but challenging steps.

• Sharing from our Façade into the Arena

• Seeking feedback from our Blind Spot

Sharing from our Façade inevitably means that we are more ‘open’ to others and may see ourselves as more vulnerable or exposed. On the other hand, if we are able to share our hopes, dreams, desires and fears we open the door for others to see us more clearly and help us more easily.

Seeking feedback from our Blind Spot could mean that we open ourselves to unwelcome or even unwanted criticism; discovering exactly how others perceive us. However, learning from others to reduce our Blind Spot gives us the opportunity to learn about different ideas or opportunities, new ways of living and working and the chance to build or develop our relationships.

Put these two steps together and Boom! - we open ourselves to our fullest potential to develop, grow and mature in our lives and our businesses.

Next Steps

1. Share the story of the Johari Window with a trusted friend or peer. 

2. Tell them something about yourself that sits within your Façade and listen while they seek to understand, clarifying where there is misunderstanding. 

3. Ask them to give you feedback or share their insights or ideas and try to listen without comment as they do so. Accept what is said and try to practice gratitude for their help.

4. Decide how you can use what is shared on both sides to explore your Potential.

5. Take action!