This article by: Ali Abdi Ali Hoshow
Email: alihoshow@gmail.com
The content of this [report/study/article/publication…] does not reflect the official opinion of the DIPLOMAT NEWS NETWORK.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
ABSTRACT
JOHARI WINDOW, a groundbreaking communication model proposed by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, gives valuable insights for better interpersonal communication via self-awareness and understanding. If effectively implemented, this interpersonal communication model not only raises awareness of the need of soft skills among managers, but also assists them in creating a creative and collaborative environment for learning.
Objective detail
"JOHARI WINDOW" is fundamental to the concept of interpersonal semantics. In the 1950s, American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham devised this communication scheme, which they termed 'JOHARI' by uniting their first initials, Joseph, and Harry. With regard to its relevance, emphasis, impact, personal skills, behavior, empathy, collaboration, intergroup growth, and interpersonal development, the model is an amalgamation of many unique traits.
The idea was derived as the upshot of the group dynamics in University of California and was later improved by Joseph Luft. This model is also denoted as feedback/disclosure model of self-awareness.
The Johari Window is a visual diagram that models our self-awareness and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. The model shows how the process of giving and receiving feedback can affect awareness as we learn what others see, and let them know what we see.
This concept is a simple and effective technique for developing consciousness, interpersonal interactions, teamwork, social dynamics, and intergroup connections. It is also recognized as the "self-awareness disclosure/feedback approach".
This unique tool allows us to examine how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. It serves as a model for establishing various channels of connection with others. It demonstrates how, as we get to know individuals and disclose information about ourselves, we grow progressively open to them. Individuals have the intrinsic![]()
potential to adopt four ways to interpersonal interactions with respect to oneself, according to the theory such as,
• Ability to disclose a lot of information about themselves
• Ability to disclose any information about themselves
• Ability to receive feedback in constructive way
• Ability to resist any feedback about themselves”
Figure. The original Johari Window
It depicts a person's (or a group's) mindset, beliefs, talents, and experiences in connection to others from four different viewpoints known as windows or quadrants.
The Johari Window consists of four quadrants:
Arena: open to others and ourselves
Blind spot: open to others but closed to ourselves
Hidden: known to ourselves but hidden from others
Facade or Unknown: unknown to self and others, and linked to our unconscious.
The four quadrants are categorised into a matrix system with two viewpoint: self and others, and two elements: known and unknown. The Johari Window is often depicted in a way, where all of the quadrant have the same size. In reality, this is not the case, as the quadrant can change in size according to the amount of knowledge it reflects.
The four Johari Window perspectives are called "regions”, "areas”, or "quadrants”. Each area represents the information – feelings, motivation, etc. known about the person, in terms of whether the information is known or unknown by the person and whether the information is known or unknown by others in the group.
In the basis of whether the data is available or unknown to the individual and whether the information is known or unknown to others in the team, each section includes the information and symbolizes sentiments and motivation.
The Johari Window illustrates how self and group awareness shift as we disclose more information about ourselves and what we see, and learn more about how others see us. There should be reductions in our 'façade', 'blind spot' or 'unknown' areas. Reductions in these should enlarge our 'open' or arena area. Exercises based on the window aim to increase our openness, moving information into the open area. This facilitates trust and openness.
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