The Johari Window

The Johari Window has four “panes”. It is based on the principle that of all the things about ourselves that exist to know:

1.   Some will be known to ourselves and to other people. This is shared knowledge and is the basis for all of our mutual dealings with one another. Usually called the “Arena”, effective communication is enhanced when we work at maximising the size of this pane.

2.   Some will be known to us but not to the people we deal with. Called the “Mask” or the “Facade”, this is the pane which encourages us to engage in games-playing, trickery, and the like. The larger this pane, the less chance we have of developing truly meaningful and open relationships with others because such relationships are usually based heavily on trust.

3.   Some will be known to others but not to ourselves, This is the “Blind-spot” or the “Bull in the China Shop”. This is potentially very dangerous to us because we risk exposing ourselves to weaknesses which we don’t know about and which can be exploited by others.

4.   Some will be unknown to anyone – ourselves and other people. This is the great “Unknown” (it might even be labelled, as were the maps of old, “Here There Be Dragons”!). This is a potential source of personal creativity and other resources which we may never have even suspected.

The way to increase the size of the Arena, while decreasing the size of the other panes is first through self-disclosure (sharing information about the real you with others and thus increasing their knowledge about you) and secondly through obtaining Feedback (getting open and honest information about yourself from those who witness you and your performance at work and elsewhere.

The Team Role Profile and reports provided within the BelBin© package represent practical, positive and honest information which can help you increase your knowledge and understanding of yourself. There are numerous practical implications of this including, to name just two, the chance to maximise the effectiveness of your personal contribution in your present workplace, and as a key source of guidance and help in future career planning.

Further, by sharing the Team Role information with others in your team, and by using some of the group and team reports available, you can also help members of your team to get to know the real you.

The concept of the Johari Window was developed by Joe Luft and Harry Ingham.  

Return to BelBin© Team Roles