Self-Awareness
Johari Window:
A window to Self-awareness
“Do you know yourself?” The question asked by
my instructor left me with a perplexing and uncomfortable thought. “Do I really
know myself well?” “Who I am, what do I want in life, what holds value for me??”
After being a student of Psychology for years, I found myself on the same path
where I had stood years ago when I was first introduced to the subject. The
incident came as a revelation for me, and I realized that the quest for
self-awareness and self-knowledge is a continuous process. Each one of us is intrigued
to know who we are. More often, we should reflect on this question to develop an
increased understanding of our self, thoughts, and actions.
“Look outside and you will see yourself. Look
inside and you will find yourself.” — Drew Gerald
Motivated to familiarize myself with “Me,” I
started recalling the ways to obtain self-awareness taught during my college
days. There is a plethora of tools we can employ to enhance your
self-awareness. One such fascinating technique is called - The
Johari Window.
Johari Window is a great self-awareness tool,
developed in 1955 by two American Psychologists. Interestingly, the name is a
portmanteau of its creators: Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham. This
is a psychological model that helps us to understand more about ourselves (self-awareness)
and discover important aspects of one’s own self with emphasis on critical
skills such as behaviour, empathy, team cooperation and personal development.
Johari Window model is based upon two things.
First, to acquire the trust of others by revealing your information to them.
Second, by learning about yourself through feedback by others.
Johari Window Model
Johari Window Model is also referred to as a “disclosure
/ feedback model of self-awareness.” Originally, the model was developed for
researching the team’s group relations. Further research revealed more benefits
of the model for every individual in their work and relationships. It has
received great acceptability as a paradigm for soliciting and giving feedback.
A Johari
is represented as a common window with four panes. Two of these panes represent
self and the other two represent the part unknown to self but to others.
1. Open/self-area or arena – It is public
part of our self which is known to oneself and to others too. It includes a
person’s behaviour, attitude, skills, strengths, weaknesses, etc. This is the
area where all the communications occur and the larger the arena becomes the
more effectual and dynamic the relationship will be.
2. Blind self or blind spot- This is the
part of our self which is known to others, but unknown to oneself. Certain
positive and negative traits or behaviour, or talent related to a specific area
which is known to others; however, the person is unaware of comprising the
blind spot.
Others may interpret yourselves
differently than one may expect. The blind spot is reduced for an efficient
communication through seeking feedback from others.
3. Hidden area or façade - It is the
hidden part of ourselves, which is known only to us, but unknown to the others.
This can include personal information which one feels hesitant to reveal like
feelings, past experiences, fears, secrets etc. We keep some of our feelings
and information as private as it affects the relationships and thus the hidden
area must be reduced by moving the information to the open areas.
4. Unknown area – The part of our self
that remains undiscovered by oneself as well as others. This area consists of
new opportunities and scope for development along with threats and
uncertainties. This can be due some past experiences or events which can be
unknown for a lifetime. The person will be aware of it till he/she discovers
his/her hidden qualities and capabilities or through observation of others.
Open communication is also an effective way to decrease the unknown area.
Benefits of Johari Window
·
Self-Awareness: It serves as a self-analysis
tool. Thus, making oneself aware of his strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats by considering the views of others too.
·
Cordial Relationships: Helps to improve
interpersonal relationships by providing better understanding of one another
and focusing on self-improvement.
· Improves Communication: open window for free
and honest interaction and develops understanding among team members.
·
Personal Development: Aids in development of
oneself since the blind area reveals those unknown facts which are known to
others but may have been ignored by the person. These facts are sometimes
related to the individual’s attitude, habits, behaviour which needs to be
mended.
·
Group Dynamics: The Johari window encourages
open conversations and feedback within a group. This enhances group performance
and develops a mutual understanding among the group members by eliminating the
problem areas and misunderstandings.
Johari
Window is a powerful tool which can reveal great deal of information about a
person to help them on this road of self-discovery.
This is such a nice thing... i have learnt a new thing today. Keep sharing.. would love to hear much more.
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ReplyDeleteShriparna you have written a beautiful article, which is new and interesting to crazy to read more about self awareness. Johari window is an amazing tool to self discovery. Keep up the good work you have in -depth knowledge in learning and teaching psychology.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth a read and an intersting concept. Beneficial for personal growth and discovery as well as to build relations, both personal and professional. I will be trying this out with my team in a corporate environment.
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