Concept of Johari Window

Famous American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham developed the
Johari Window model in 1955. The name “Johari” comes from the combination of the
first names of the two psychologists Joseph and Harry. Johari Window Model is also
referred to as a “disclosure – feedback model of self-awareness”. This model was
originally developed for researching team’s group relations. Later on, it was found that the
model can actually benefit every individual in their work
and relationships. It has received great acceptability as a model for soliciting and giving
feedback. Johari Window is a simple yet powerful tool for self-awareness.

 is a technique for improving self-awareness within an individual. It helps in

understanding your relationship with yourself and others. Johari Window model
can be a useful tool if you want to improve your communication skills.
 It was developed by American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in
1955, hence the name Johari. Johari Window is generally used in Self-help groups
in exercises which help a person to learn and discover things about themselves, like
heuristic exercise.
 Johari Window is a method used for self-discovery. it is believed that we have in a
group based on our perception of others. And that is why to improve communication
in a group it is important to develop the perception of an individual in the group.
 Johari window model is based upon two things – to acquire the trust of others by
revealing your information to them and by learning about yourself through
feedback by others.

Johari Window Model Description

There are four questions in the model just like panes in a window and each person fits into
one of this pane. Each window in Johari window model signifies feelings, personal
information, and motivation.

Also, the important point to know here is that through window panes one must
determine whether one is known or unknown to oneself as well as the others.
  there are four different panes and each signifies one crucial idea behind it. Further,
the panes are in the horizontal axis as well as the vertical axis. So, you have to
determine in which window you fall and based on that your personality can be
known.
 In this model, the main focus is on feedback. Accepting of feedback and conveying
of this feedback is done through this model. The panes given in the vertical
direction represents part that is known and unknown to others. While the horizontal
part represents the known and unknown part to yourself.
 That is two windows represent your true self while the other two windows
represent the part that is known to others but unknown to self.
 This information which is known to self and unknown to others can be transferred
through socializing with others. While the part that is known to others but unknown
to self is conveyed through feedback that you get through other members in the
group.
 This model works on the basis of communication happening in the group and how
to improve yourself. The model is very simple to understand and as a result, it is
used in various organizations.

the panes into 4 different panes:

Johari Window Quadrant 1: Open Area or Arena

This area or pane is called open area because the information in this pane about the
behaviour, feelings, emotions about the person is known to that person itself as well as the
other members in this group.
It is the Open Area of a person’s life where things are known both to the person and to
others. This is the area in which you should generally operate to be effective in
interpersonal relationship. One key to success in mastering interpersonal skills is to
know about self and the people to whom you interact, which can be done by operating in
this area. The larger this area, the greater the individual’s contact is with the actual
world. He/she is more available with his abilities and needs to self as well as others.
This part includes all the information that the individual willingly and openly shares with
other people through the diverse communication media: dress code, behavior, body
language, tone of voice, gestures and words etc.
In this arena, all the communication occurs through a two-way process. Such that the person
socializes about himself with others and constantly receives feedback from the other
members of the group. As a result, the group becomes more effective and the relationship in
this group is very dynamic.
In this group, the process of feedback solicitation is very common. This process occurs in
the group that has an understanding and the feedbacks of the other person are heard.
So, the open area through this group can be increased horizontally such that the blind spot
area is reduced and vertically it is increased so that the hidden and unknown areas of a
person are reduced when that person reveals about his feeling to the other person.

Johari Window Quadrant 2: Blind spot or Blind Self

Blind spot is the area in which the certain information on your personality is known to
others but that information is not known to you.
In simple terms, other people may interpret your personality different than you might have
expected. For efficient communication, this area must be reduced.
One way to do it is through feedback that you get from other members in the group.
It contains things unknown to the individuals about themselves, but known to those
around them. This is the Blind Area of a person’s life. Feedback from others is the way
to decrease this Blind Area and enlarge the Open Area. In the Blind Area, we are more
likely to unknowingly hurt other people and do things they do not
like. The blind area traits are more or less governed by unconscious mind. The person
behaves unknowingly. Habits also make a person to act in a unknowingly way which can’t
hurt others.

Johari Window Quadrant 3: Hidden Area or Hidden Self

Hidden area is the information that you hide from others. Here, the information is known to
you but the others are unknown to this information.
The reason for this may be the information might be personal to you so that you are
reluctant to share it with others. This includes secrets, past experiences, feelings, etc. Many
people keep their information private and do not share it with others.

It is the hidden part of a person’s life where things are known to the person but not to the
others. That’s why you may also call this area as Hidden Area. This part hides all that
kind of information that we don’t feel comfortable to share with others. This area generally
contains an individual’s emotions, feelings, opinions, prejudices and past history or
experiences.
Minimizing these hidden things improve interpersonal relationships in your work and in
your personal lives.

Johari Window Quadrant 4: Unknown Areas or Unknown Self

In this area, the information is unknown to you as well as the others. Generally, certain
feelings, talents, information, etc. fall in this area.
The reason for this might be some traumatic experience in the past about a particular event
or experiences which might be unknown for your ever.
The person, as well as the group, is unaware about this till he or she discovers it. One way
to reduce this area is through open communication. his is the Unknown Area of a
person’s life where things are not known to that person or to others. You may also call this
area the Undiscovered Self or the Dark Area. By self-discovery and other’s observation,
you can reduce the Unknown Area. Always encourage yourself to encounter new and
different situations.
Operating in this area often leads to misunderstanding which creates interpersonal conflict.
Johari window is an effective technique which when used appropriately provides
valuable information regarding one’s own self and others, which is an important
characteristic which every leader needs to possess to succeed.
Benefits of using Johari Window
self-awareness
better communication skills improved
interpersonal skills high self-esteem
more self-confidence
know more about your strength and weaknesses

Johari Window Model for Self-Awareness (Self Discovery)

Now coming to the point how to use Johari Window? Understanding Johari Windows
actually helps in shifting your quadrants. In order to get the most out of the Johari Window
self-analysis, you need to be work with some other people who know them well. For
instance, family members, co-workers, friends, etc.

 The first step is – Describe your Johari Window. Which area or areas are
largest for you? And which are Smallest? To do this, first of all put your
abilities, competencies, traits, behaviors, motives, strengths and weaknesses in
the three quadrants Open Area / Open Self, Blind Area / Blind Self and
Hidden Area / Hidden Self.
 Secondly, ask your close and trustworthy friends or relatives; who know about you
well do the same for you i.e. putting your abilities, competencies, traits, behaviors,
motives, strengths, and weaknesses in the three quadrants Open Area, Blind Area
and Hidden Area.

Analysis of strength & Weakness

The results of the Johari Window exercise may differ depending on whether you do the
exercise with friends, co-workers, or family. You can do the exercise with people in all
three groups and then analyze the results.

Though this matrix has four quadrants, the size of each is not necessarily equal. Each
window pane will vary depending on:
How much you share with other people How
well others (try to) know you How well you
know yourself
 Types of skills

I. Reading Skill

“People who read the people who lead” because the act of reading is essentially a process of thinking. The
question is not can you read rather it is, Can you read well. It is necessary to read at least half an hour a
day.

Techniques of training for better reading

a. Question:
One must ask a question not only before reading but also while reading. Do I agree with what proof? What
follow these types of question should be asked, Time spend on the question should be 10% of the total time

b. Read
For effective reading, it is necessary to choose a place where there is no disturbance. Active involvement
should be there in reading after every hour it is necessary to take a break. Time spent on reading should
be 15% of the total time.

a. Restat
It means to put down the book at regular intervals and tell what you read. A good reader does it. After a
certain interval close the book & tell your sub main point & important details. The reader who restates
remembers three times more who does not restate. Time spend shall be 20% of the total time.

b. Review
It is simply repeating the first three steps i. e question, read & restate. Time spent should be 10% of the
total time

c. Skimming
Skimming, sometimes referred to as gist reading, means going through the text to grasp the main idea.
Here, the reader doesn’t pronounce each and every word of the text but focuses their attention on the
main theme or the core of the text. Examples of skimming are reading magazines or newspapers and
searching for a name in a telephone directory.

d. Scanning
Here, the reader quickly scuttles across sentences to get to a particular piece of information. Scanning involves the
technique of rejecting or ignoring irrelevant information from the text to locate a specific piece of information.

e. Intensive Reading
Intensive reading is far more time-consuming than skimming and scanning as it needs the reader’s
attention to detail. It involves close reading that aims at the accuracy of comprehension. Here, the
reader has to understand the meaning of each and every word
f. Extensive reading
Extensive reading lays more emphasis on fluency and less on accuracy. It usually involves
reading for pleasure and is more of an out-of-classroom activity. It is highly unlikely for
readers to take up the extensive reading of text they do not like.

2. Writing Skill.

A good writer is a sculpture he uses fewer words & expresses more. He cuts useless word
and makes every word means.

 Essentials of good writing skill:

 Concentrate on paragraph develop one paragraph one idea.
Clear writing comes from clear thinking.
 Always try to write to express not to impress.
Be a reader-oriented.
 Essential for writing a business letter
 For writing a business letter it is necessary to stay in the simplest way possible the
basic element of the message. The proper order of the ideas need to be maintained
Letter of yes
(Promotion, admission, permission, award, etc.)
For such type of letter, it is necessary to put the main idea first following with details & end
on pleasant
Letter of No
(Request, Refuse, Regret)
In such type of letter put the natural idea first then the reason, then bad news in tactful term &
end with a pleasant note

Different writing skills:

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

No matter the content of your writing, your client, boss, or recruiter will instantly notice
any spelling or grammatical mistakes you make.
Poor spelling sends a negative first impression that weakens your credibility. As a result,
you’ll distract from whatever you’re trying to communicate.
According to multiple publications, over 80% of surveyed employers state that they
immediately reject resumes that contain any more than one or two grammatical or spelling
mistakes.
Poor spelling can also severely hurt you even if you are the employer. In a 2011 study, the
BBC calculated that poor spelling alone cost UK businesses millions of pounds in online
sales each year.
Improving your spelling and punctuation skills is just a matter of catching your mistakes
and correcting them as you go. Always make sure that spell-checker is enabled when
you’re creating a document for work.
If it points out a mistake, fix it and keep it in mind for the future. The longer you build up this
habit, the fewer typos you’ll eventually make.
Concise language. Whoever you’re sending an email or report to will likely have many
other tasks and information running through their mind.
Get to the point quickly and clearly describe what you’re asking for, and you’ll
increase your chances of receiving a favourable response.
After you’ve written anything for work, quickly read it over and ask yourself if you can
make any thought more concise without losing meaning.
Over time, you’ll internalize this thought process and apply it as you’re writing. Here’s an
example of wordy versus concise writing:
Wordy: Our organization is intent on incorporating the highly respected values of integrity,
excellence, and innovation in everything every employee and manager does. Concise: Our
organization’s values are integrity, excellence, and innovation.
Writing for your audience. Always keep in mind your audience when writing anything for
work.
This is important not just for maximizing the clarity of your writing, but also for making
clients, managers, and stakeholders feel that you understand them and their needs.

1. Depending on the audience, consider the appropriate:

Tone. The proper tone to use depends on the audience and type of document.
For example, when writing to consumers, you typically want to communicate with a
conversational tone that makes them feel like they’re talking to a real person.
If you’re writing to business-to-business clients or creating project proposals, on the other
hand, then you should adopt a more professional tone.
The best way to improve at picking and employing the right tone is to do
some research before each project. Simply looking up “[type of writing] correct tone” will
bring up a wealth of useful guides and tips.
Terminology. Consider whether all parties reading any document you’re writing will
understand all the contained terminology.
If you’re an engineer writing a training guide for a piece of software, you’ll want to use
more general language if the guide is meant for new hires than if it’s for existing team
members.
If the piece of writing is extremely important, you should double-check with a co- worker
of a different specialization to make sure they understand it.
Active voice. Using active voice is a way to strengthen your ideas and make them feel more
direct.
Whenever you use a verb, make sure you’re writing the phrase as an actionable statement.
2. Great way to do this include referencing:
Numbers. Statistics and numbers are highly meaningful and memorable, making them great
rhetorical tools for conveying your points to others.
If you tout a 20% cost savings due to you or your product, that’ll create a much stronger
impression than you stating your opinions ever could.
Especially when it comes to your resume, you should describe your achievements at past jobs
using numbers. With a single line, you’re communicating the explicit benefit the employer could
secure for the company by hiring you.
A useful tip is to note down any statistics that you learn. Try to be creative and recognize
what figures could be tangentially related to your work or product. For example, suppose
the price of a certain product has risen by X%.
This detail may seem insignificant but could be used to strengthen an argument that your product
now serves as a more attractive alternative.
Testimonials. Human brains are wired to highly-value social proof.
If you can demonstrate that your boss, colleagues, or previous clients trust you, that’ll make a
strong, positive impression on the party you’re currently dealing with.
You’ll typically combine this method with the others on this list.
When writing a business proposal to a prospective client, for example, you could cite how
previous clients were happy with the X% performance enhancement you provided them.
Outlining. Outlining any piece of writing before you begin provides a few key benefits:
Improves the structure and flow of your writing. Helps you
compellingly organize thoughts.
Cuts down on thinking-time when you’re writing.
The best way to improve your outlining skills is to develop an iterative approach. Start with just a
rough skeleton that maps out the order of your overarching thoughts. Next, go through each
thought and start outlining the sub-elements.
The idea is to focus on breadth before depth. If you focus too hard on any given section of your
writing, it’ll be harder to rearrange it later on if you realize there’s a better way to structure the
document.
Adapting for the platform. The writing techniques you use don’t just vary by audience,
but by the platform as well.
If you’re tasked with writing an email, social media post, or blog post, make sure to research
strategies and writing samples for that particular platform before you begin. Organization and
structure. Most people tend to dedicate 80% of their attention to the first 20% of any piece of
writing they read.
This means that for business emails and documents, a disorganized and illogical structure could
cause readers to miss important language.

3. A tips for structuring your writing are:

Put the important information at the front. Especially for business emails, most people will
appreciate it if you get straight to the point.
Separate different thoughts. The smaller your walls of text, the more legible it’ll be and the more
willing people will be to do more than just skim it.
After you write an email or document, read over it and identify where cohesive thoughts start and
end, then simply separate them with blank lines.
Writing a resume. When writing your resume, there are a few major guidelines to follow that
are well-researched and proven to maximize your chances of landing interviews.

The most important tips to keep in mind are:

Keep it brief. Employers spend an average of only seven seconds reading over each candidate’s
resume.
The less fluff you add, the more likely the reader will notice and remember your key skills
and achievements. Try to limit your document to a single page for most positions.
Choose a logical structure.
In general, you should include the following sections in this order: Name
and contact information
Summary or personal statement (optional)
A brief list of key skills (more important for technical jobs) Job
experience
Education history
Volunteer work and related interests (optional)
Proofread, then proofread again. Almost everyone makes one or two mistakes with their
first draft.
Proofreading your resume twice costs a total of two minutes.
Meanwhile, any typo on your document will be way more noticeable and negatively impactful
to recruiters than you might think.

3. Listening skill

The manager spends 45% of their time listening. The better person listens the better the
relationship will be maintained. The most common benefit of better listening is an
appreciation increase in moral & avoiding of conflict

Listening indicates

A person is important, the person is worth of time & attention person is interesting That
person is interesting. Speaking is an interactive process where information is shared, and if
necessary, acted upon by the listener. So, it’s important to develop both speaking and
listening skills in order to communicate effectively

Essential for Being Good Listener

 Give full attention to the person who is speaking.
 Don’t look out the window or what else is going on.
Make sure your mind is focused.
 If you feel that your mind is wondering to change the position of your body & try to
focus on spoken words.
 Start speaking after the speaker finishes his talk.
 You can’t really listen if you are busy thinking about what you want to say next.
Listen to make the important points the speaker wants to access.
 3.Speaking Skills:

The ability to speak confidently and fluently is something which allow us to communicate
effectively. They give us the ability to convey information verbally and in a way that the listener
can understand.

important skills that you need to develop:

FLUENCY. Fluency is about how comfortable and confident you are in speaking English. If you can
speak for an extended period of time, that is an indicator of strong fluency. It is also about showing a clear
connection between each point that you are trying to make. This skill means that the listener can follow
what you are saying and does not get lost.

VOCABULARY. Of course, if you don’t have the words to say what you want to say, then you cannot
say it. Being a good speaker means constantly growing you’re vocabulary. The more interesting words you
know, the stronger your speaking skills. The best way to grow your vocabulary is to read in English and
make a note of any new words that you encounter in a vocabulary notebook.

GRAMMAR. The dreaded G word! Grammar does matter and the fewer mistakes you make, the better your
speaking skill will be. However, do not worry about making mistakes either! A good speaker does not have
to use perfect grammar. Certainly, though, it is a good idea to make sure that you have mastered the major
tenses.

PRONUNCIATION. Pronunciation is a complex area, with a lot of sub skills that can be practiced.
The basic rule of thumb is that an average speaker can speak and be understood. A skilled speaker can
use the sub skills of pronunciation to emphasise and make the communicative effect of their speech
more impactful. The sub skills of pronunciation include: word and sentence stress, intonation, rhythm
and the use of the individual sounds of a language. A good way to practice your pronunciation is to
copy! Simply listen to how someone with good pronunciation speaks, and try to imitate them as
closely as possible.