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Johari window
The Johari Window is a tool used in group dynamics to give feedback, improve communication, relationships and performance of various members of the organization.
Psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham developed this model in 1955 to address the need to enhance individuals' self-awareness and personal development when in a group. The name "Johari" comes from the union of his first two names.
The Johari Window is a simple and useful tool to illustrate and enhance self-awareness and understanding among individuals within a group. It is particularly useful in team development. It allows the indicators or groups of indicators to be classified into 4 quadrants, according to the results obtained both by the same person (self-assessment) and by the other roles that have evaluated it:
- Free area: Quadrant of what is known by oneself and by others: what the person communicates openly.
- Blind area: Quadrant that includes what one does not know himself, but what others do know: it represents what others perceive even though the person themself is not aware.
- Hidden area: Everything we know about ourselves but is unknown to others. It represents what the person himself does not expose to others.
- Unknown area: Where everything we don't know about ourselves and others don't know is included. This is where there is potential, an area to discover, a capacity to learn…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/03634527609384634
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/03634527609384634
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What is the Johari Window?
The Johari Window is a psychological tool that helps explore self-perception and how others view us, enabling the identification of both strengths and improvement areas.
What is the primary objective of using the Johari Window in a professional setting?
By encouraging the exchange of feedback and reflection, the Johari Window improves communication and self-awareness, which are essential for professional growth.
What does the "open area" represent in the Johari Window?
The "open area" includes aspects or behaviors that are recognized by both the individual and their surroundings, fostering transparency and communication.
How is the "hidden area" defined in this model?
The "hidden area" refers to what the individual knows about themselves but does not reveal to others, which can limit feedback and personal growth.
What does the "blind area" describe in the Johari Window?
The "blind area" encompasses traits or behaviors that are evident to others but overlooked by the individual, limiting self-awareness.
What does the "unknown area" in the Johari Window encompass?
The "unknown area" represents aspects or potentials that remain unexplored by both the individual and their environment, providing room for future discoveries.
What is the role of feedback when using the Johari Window?
Feedback makes the "blind area" visible, helping to expand the open area and improve self-awareness and communication.
In a professional context, how are "strengths" defined using the Johari Window?
Strengths refer to the positive qualities or skills found in the open area, meaning they are acknowledged by both the individual and their surroundings, enabling their enhancement.
Which action is essential to fully leverage the Johari Window?
Actively seeking and accepting feedback is crucial for uncovering blind spots and identifying improvement areas, thereby facilitating professional growth.
Once you have mapped your strengths and areas for improvement, what is the recommended next step?
Identifying strengths and improvement areas is just the first step; it is essential to develop an action plan that enhances skills and addresses weaknesses for continuous development.
Map of strengths and opportunities for professional improvement with the Johari window
The Johari window is a useful cognitive psychology tool for getting to know ourselves and our relationships with others. We will explain how, from Human Resources, you can use it to create a map of strengths and opportunities for improvement in your organization.
