Johari Window Exercise

The following exercise is useful in that it gives us an opportunity to gain feedback from others; and
you can clearly select who you ask. It is easy to think that other people see us in the same way that
we see ourselves, or in the way that we want them to see us. This is not necessarily the case.

Take a look at the table below, and pick out the 10 words that you feel describe you the best, you
can add one more word to the list if you feel you need to. Then show the table to a colleague and
ask them to pick out the 10 words that they think describe you best, tell them that they can add one
more word to the list if they feel that they need to. Do not show them your 10 words.

Able Caring Sensible Tense Energetic Idealistic

Patient Religious Introverted Modest Shy Warm

Dignified Helpful Adaptable Clever Knowledgeable Observant

Sentimental Trustworthy Proud Searching Brave Confident

Kind Nervous Extroverted Independent Reflective Self-Conscious

Bold Complex Silly Wise Giving Unapproachable

Quiet Assertive Logical Organised Sympathetic Diligent

Friendly Ingenious Calm Intelligent Mature Bossy

Spontaneous Witty Relaxed Accepting Cheerful Stubborn

Loving Dependable Happy Powerful Responsive Dynamic

Negative Intense Arrogant Lively Analytical Serious

Trusting Distant Anxious Impulsive Authoritative Reliable

Positive Passive Intuitive Superficial Patronising Reflexive

Once you have received your 10 words from a colleague, enter them into the table below:
 1 Write here all the words that 2 Write here all the words that
appear on your list and also on the appear on your colleague’s list but
list of your colleague: NOT on your own:

Able Dependable
Confident Happy
Organised Relaxed
Calm
Silly
Giving
Proud
Wise

3 Write here all the words that Leave this box empty.
appear on your list but NOT on the
list of your colleague:

Logical
Witty
Observant
Independent
Clever
Accepting
Spontaneous

Once you have done this with a colleague, you may want to repeat it with more people, so
you understand how they all perceive you. Ask some people who know you well, and some who
you have met more recently and who will make their choice based on more of a first impression.

Now you have completed the lists and transferred the information to the table above, what
does all this mean?
Box 1: Words you both chose (Arena):

These are qualities that you feel you have, and that your colleague also sees in you. It would
be worth discussing these qualities with your colleague so you understand why they have
identified these things about you. Ask them for examples. So if they have said they think you
are generous, and you have said the same about yourself, then ask them why they think you
are generous; ask for an example of a generous thing that they think you have done.

Reflect on their answer, is it what you expected them to say? Thank them for their
feedback, and then move to the next list of words.

Box 2: Words they chose but you did not (Blind Spot):

This is arguably the most useful list. Ask your colleague to explain why they have chosen the
words they have. Ask for examples, so you know why they have chosen these words to
describe you. Listen and don’t be tempted to interrupt them, challenge or explain. You will
learn useful information about how others see you.

Then move on to the last list.

Box 3: Words you chose but they did not (Façade):

It is also useful to discuss this list with others. These words describe the way you see
yourself, but have not been in the top 10 chosen by others to describe you. By talking them
through, and giving your colleague evidence to support why you have selected these words,
you will be sharing with them some things that they may not have noticed about you.

You may want to be selective about which ones you choose to share, and with whom.

The more people you feel able to do this exercise with, the more you will learn about
yourself, the better you will also become at receiving feedback about yourself; not always
easy, but a great way to learn.