You Getting to Know You

Johari’s Window (pictured below) is a tool that I may use to understand how clients think about how others perceive them and how they perceive themselves. When someone has a greater understanding of these perceptions and their impact on others, they can better plan how to approach situations that life will throw their way.

In order to practice authenticity and act with courage, I work with coachees to get them to know themselves by increasing their awareness of their open self, blind self, hidden self, and unknown self.

This model will work with all client types assuming they are willing to show vulnerability and be able to reflect and share the unfiltered thoughts and personal values and explore how those match the perception of others. This tool may be of limited value to those who are not willing to let their guard down or are unwilling to explore feedback from others.

Johari's Window

A brief illustration of how to read this diagram -

Your open self is what is both known to you and others. This is the information you share with others because you know it's OK to share it. For example, my family is important to me, and I frequently talk about my family at work.

Your hidden self is what is known only to you, not others. This the information that you do not share with others because it might hurt you or others in some way. For example, my family is important to me, but I refrain from talking about my family at work because I'm afraid it will affect my chances of being promoted.

Reference

Luft, J., & Ingham, H. (1955). The Johari window, a graphic model of interpersonal awareness. Proceedings of the western training laboratory in group development. Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles.