Johari Window

Communal life both in Organizations and elsewhere

Johari Window model is designed to understand the interpersonal communication and relationships. Johari Model is a beneficial tool to measure self-awareness and personal growth that can be useful to discover personal strengths, blind spots, and areas to explore. The model will work best in the high trust environment. In the Johari Window, there are two variables, ‘things I know about myself’ and ‘things I don’t know about myself.’

Johari Window

Region 1 – Public

Things I know about myself – others also know (public)

Region 3 – Blind

Things I don’t know about myself – others know (Blind spot)

Region 2 – Private

Things I know about myself – others don’t know (private)

Region 4 – Unknown

Things I don’t know about myself – others don’t know (unknown)

Things I know about myself – others also know (public)

Region 2

Things I know about myself – others don’t know (private)

Region 3

Things I don’t know about myself – others know (blind spot)

Region 4

Things I don’t know about myself – others don’t know (unknown)

Things I know about myself – others also know (public) – Region 1

In Region 1, the information about a person’s behavior, attitude, feelings, emotions, knowledge, experience, skills, and views known by the person and others. Further, Region 1

personalities are supportive of group dynamics, team building and intergroup relationships, develop emotional intelligence, effective communication through disclosure and constructive feedback. Regions 1, improve organizational effectiveness and open two-way communication which is very important. More shared information is beneficial to improve interpersonal relationships. Also, to minimize interposal conflicts, mistrust, confusion, and misunderstanding. In the working environment, the team leaders can play an important role in accepting constructive feedback about their blind areas. It is important that leaders promote the culture of sharing knowledge through the departments to sincere, helpful, constructive and sensitive communication. Johari Window model is very important to communicate with the clients and employees of an organization.

Things I know about myself – others don’t know (private) – Region 2

When it comes to private information, some people prefer to keep the private information to themselves as they cannot trust others. Further, as a healthcare service organization, we are supposed to protect patients’ privacy. It is very important that we have processes in place to protect clients' privacy not allowing Regions 2 to expand to Region 1.

Things I don’t know about myself – others know (blind spot) – Region 3

The information related to the region 3, blind spot, may be reduced by expanding the public area of a person's life. The objective is to develop the Regions 1 and reduce the region 3 (blind spots). Further, customers will observe employee behavior, and they can influence communication with others. Dealing with the customers is not as it appears an on the surface. Staff should be trained on better communication skills.

Things I don’t know about myself – others don’t know (unknown) – Region 4

Regions 4 includes things I don’t know about myself and well as others. Typically large unknown areas are observed in younger people, or people do not believe in themselves. Regions 4 may include things such as unknown illness, subconscious feelings a person does not know what they possess.

Johari window take away;

Leaders need a greater understanding of themselves and greater understanding of others. A fundamental part of professional development is to reduce the size blind spot. Being capable of giving constructive feedback manager should be aware of his blind spots. Help to improve professional communication with patients and customers and effectively assessing others.

Reference

Johari window. Bloomsbury Business Library - Business & Management Dictionary. 4175, Jan. 2007.

Johari window. Bloomsbury Business Library - Business & Management Dictionary [serial online]. January 2007;4175. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 17, 2017.

SHAPIRO, DE; HELL, J; HAGER, F. VALIDATION OF THE JOHARI WINDOW TEST AS A MEASURE OF SELF-DISCLOSURE. Journal of Social Psychology. 120, 2, 289, Aug. 1983. ISSN: 00224545

Galpin, T. (1995). Pruning the grapevine. Training & Development, 49(4), 28.