Introduction:
One of the exercises many people have found helpful in developing their self-awareness is the Johari Window. The Johari Window was created by two psychologists, Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, who named it by combing parts of their first names. It’s not as cool a story as I thought it would be, but that’s where the name comes from.
The Johari Window has four quadrants.
- The top left box is the ‘Open’ area. It consists of characteristics everyone, including you, knows about you.
- The top right box is the ‘Blind’ area. This is where there are things you don’t know about yourself, but others know about.
- The bottom left box is the ‘Open’ area.
- The bottom right box is the ‘Hidden’ area. (the things you know about yourself, but choose not to show others). In the bottom right is the area ‘Unknown’. This is the area buried in your subconscious that if uncovered can uncover other areas of potential for you.
One of the ways it is used focuses on developing self-awareness, a key component of emotional intelligence.
Instructions
Gather your adjectives
- Print the adjective list and circle five adjectives that you feel best describe you. If there are adjectives that fit you better than the ones on the list, write them down.
- Share the adjective list with 1 to 3 people who you trust and who know you. There is a separate document that is just the adjective list at: https://thefpagroup.com/adjectives-list/
- Ask each person to pick five of the adjectives from the list that describe you. If there are adjectives, they feel fit you better than the ones on the list, ask them to write them down.
- Ask each person to share their adjectives with you.
Map your adjectives
Write all your adjectives, the ones you wrote and the ones other people wrote, in the Johari Window quadrants as follows:
The Johari Window has four quadrants.
- Arena/Open – In the top left box, write in adjectives that both you and others wrote down.
- Blind Spot – In the top right box, write in the adjectives that others wrote down, but you did not.
- Façade – In the bottom left box , write in the adjectives you wrote down, but others did not.
- Unknown – The bottom right box will remain empty for the exercise. It is the ‘Hidden’ area. (the things you know about yourself, but choose not to show others). In the bottom right is the area ‘Unknown’. This is the area buried in your subconscious that if uncovered can uncover other areas of potential for you.
Adjective List
| Able | accepting | adaptable |
| bold | brave | calm |
| caring | cheerful | clever |
| complex | confident | dependable |
| dignified | empathetic | energetic |
| extroverted | friendly | giving |
| happy | helpful | idealistic |
| independent | ingenious | intelligent |
| introverted | kind | knowledgeable |
| logical | loving | mature |
| modest | nervous | observant |
| organized | patient | powerful |
| proud | quiet | reflective |
| relaxed | religious | responsive |
| searching | self-assertive | self-conscious |
| sensible | sentimental | shy |
| silly | smart | spontaneous |
| sympathetic | tense | trustworthy |
| warm | wise | witty |
For an online version of this list go to: https://thefpagroup.com/adjectives-list/
