In this article I’ll share everything you need to get started. I’ll explain the Johari Window model, share some personal examples, and provide simple Johari Window exercises.
The Johari Window is one of those models that many people are aware of, but few people use. Which is unfortunate, because it’s a simple and powerful model for guiding self-development. Let’s get started.
Whether you’re working on your own development, supporting a team, or coaching 1:1, the Johari Window model is a useful foundation for productive development planning.
Benefits of Using the Johari Window
If you’re using the model as an individual development tool, here are three key benefits:
- Increased self awareness
- Enhanced personal relationships
- Clear personal development opportunities
These benefits are ‘baked into’ your use of the model. As you reflect on how others see you, request feedback, apply the insights of each quadrant, the benefits will emerge.
And if you’re working as a team you’ll see these benefits too, as well as the benefits of increased trust, collaboration, and problem solving.
The Johari Window Model Explained
The Johari Window (or the Jo Hari Window) was developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham. The model has been around since 1955 and ss you may have just realized, the name of the model is derived from a combination of their first names!
This four window model recognizes some essential truths.
For example, there are parts of ourselves that we keep hidden from others. This may be our deepest desires, or just hidden foibles, or just ‘stuff’ that we haven’t yet found the opportunity to share.
There are also parts of ourselves that others can see, but which we can’t see for ourselves. This can be a simple behavior such as interrupting when other people are speaking. It’s so automatic that we don’t notice it ourselves, but it’s very visible to other people. Or it could be something more profound, and can be a positive(!), such as our ability to be calm in a crisis.
And then there is our potential, unknow to both ourselves and others because that potential hasn’t yet been unleashed. Our life experiences haven’t yet revealed our ability.
The model takes all that theory, and packages it into a neat 4-window matrix that looks at what is known and unknown, to yourself and others. And then each quadrant is labeled to summarize its characteristics:
As you can see, the 4 boxes are:
- The Open Area (known by yourself, and know by others too)
- The Blind Spot (unknow by yourself, but known by others)
- The Hidden Area (known by yourself, but unknown by others)
- The Unknown (unknown by yourself, and unknown by others too)
The value of reflecting on these different ‘windows’ is that each one offers you a different approach to personal development and self discovery.
Here’s more on the four windows of the model.
A Tool for Personal Development and Self Discovery
Personal development takes many different forms, the 70 / 20 / 10 model may be familiar to you, and the Johari Window provides another complementary and unique perspective.
Each window provides a different vehicle for development:
- The Open Area: ideal for personal development discussions
- The Blind Spot: creates an opportunity to seek feedback
- The Hidden Area: gives you the opportunity to share, thoughtfully
- The Unknown: offers you the opportunity to unlock your potential with fresh challenges
Take a look at my Johari Window personal examples, below.
Johari Window Examples
The Johari Window can be used in a couple of different ways. In my case, I’ve used it as a model to guide my development through self-reflection and personal action.
Here are my Johari Window examples:
Open Area Examples
The open area is perhaps the easiest to work with, it’s known by yourself, and know by others too.
If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.
Henry Ford
During career and development conversations with my manager, I discuss the personal development needs that we’re both aware of. These currently include:
- Developing my confidence in engaging C-level executives
- Gaining experience of leading global projects
- Improving my workshop facilitation skills (particularly for large and complex workshops)
Blind Spot Examples
We all need people who give us feedback. That’s how we improve.
Bill Gates
The Blind Spot offers the opportunity to seek feedback from coworkers, your manager, and your team. I do this on a regular basis. This helps me to:
- Build relationships with my coworkers
- Gain insights into how I can improve my performance
- Demonstrate to my manager that I’m actively managing my personal development
And if you’re asking yourself “How can I seek feedback on a blind spot? I don’t know what I don’t know!” remember that how you seek feedback can vary.
You can ask for feedback on specific skills, but you can also ask open questions such as “What’s one thing I should do differently, that would really enhance my performance?“.
There’s more here on seeking feedback.
Hidden Area Examples
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Hidden Area has several different applications. I consider this area and decide what to share about myself when I’m:
- Delivering presentations: to make sure that I position myself correctly to achieve my presentation goals
- Greeting new colleagues: so that they quickly understand how I can support them and the value that I offer
- Building relationships: sharing more of myself with others, in a thoughtful way, helps me to build trusting and collaborative relationships
Unknown Examples
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
Arthur C. Clarke
The Unknown is the fun zone! It’s all about discovering your potential through new activities. This is your opportunity to cultivate a growth mindset, create new challenges for yourself, learn and grow.
If you’re not sure what challenges to take up, look at our 30-day challenge ideas (not all growth has to be serious, you can have fun too!).
Johari Window Exercises for Personal Development
You can use the Johari Window for personal reflection and personal development planning, as I have done.
This exercise involves reflecting and acting on the 4 windows within the model:
Open Area
- What are my strengths and skills that others recognize in me?
- In what ways do I contribute positively to my team or group?
- What are the opportunities to collaborate on my development?
Blind Spot
- What feedback have I received from others that I may not fully understand?
- Are there recurring themes in the feedback I receive from peers?
- How can I ask for constructive feedback to uncover my blind spots?
Hidden Area
- What personal experiences or feelings am I keeping to myself that could benefit my relationships?
- Are there skills or passions I haven’t shared with others that could enhance collaboration?
- How can I create a safe space to share more of myself with my team?
Unknow Area
- What new challenges can I take on to discover hidden strengths?
- How can I push myself out of my comfort zone to explore my potential?
- What opportunities for growth have I not yet considered?
You can also use the Johari Window to enable more productive 1-1 conversations and team discussions.
Johari Window as a Team-Building Tool
Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham conceived a Johari Window exercise that involves a list of adjectives which the participants select from and place in the ‘windows’ of the model. This provides the basis for powerful discussions that fuels personal growth and team building.
Here are a list of questions that you can consider using during team building activities.
Open Area
- What are your key strengths that you believe everyone on the team is aware of?
- What contributions do you feel you make to the team that are recognized by others?
- How do you prefer to communicate with team members during projects?
Blind Spot
- What behaviors do you notice in me that I might not be aware of?
- Can you provide feedback on areas where I could improve that I might not see myself?
- Are there any habits or tendencies I have that affect the team’s dynamics, either positively or negatively?
Hidden Area
- What skills or talents do you have that you haven’t shared with the team yet?
- Are there any personal values or experiences that influence how you work but that the team is unaware of?
- Is there anything about your preferred working style or preferences that you haven’t communicated to the team?
Unknown Area
- What new challenges or roles would you like to explore to uncover hidden potential?
- Are there any areas of personal or professional growth you’re curious about but haven’t had the chance to pursue?
- How can the team support you in discovering new skills or abilities?
General Team-Building Questions
- How can we create a more open and trusting environment within the team?
- What steps can we take to give and receive constructive feedback more effectively?
- In what ways can we better support each other’s personal and professional development?
Johari Window Example Team-Building Exercises
- Feedback round: Have team members pair up and provide feedback to each other on observed behaviors and areas for improvement (Blind Spot).
- Self-disclosure session: Encourage team members to share something about themselves that the team might not know (Hidden Area).
- New challenge brainstorming: Have a session where team members suggest new projects or roles they would like to take on to explore unseen potential (Unknown Area).
And there are a couple of online resources that allow you to complete your Johari Window, in collaboration with others, in a virtual environment.
Kevan.org – the interface looks clunky, but it actually works well!
Miro.com – a template from Miro, the online collaborative whiteboard platform.
Use these Johari Window exercises as I have, by reflecting and acting on each of the four windows, or to enable a 1-1 or team discussion.
It will give you a fresh and unique perspective on development opportunities!
The Johari Window Model: Summary
In summary, you can use the Johari Window model as a tool for both personal and team development.
Explore each of its four quadrants — Open, Blind Spot, Hidden, and Unknown — and you can gain deeper insights into yourself and enhance your relationships with others.
Whether you’re reflecting on your strengths, seeking feedback, sharing your experiences, or uncovering untapped potential, this model encourages a proactive approach to self-discovery and growth.
As a next step, choose one quadrant of the Johari Window to focus on first. Take the time to make meaningful progress in that area, and then revisit the model to explore the other quadrants.
