Sometimes we feel we're giving our best at work, yet something feels off. Could it be that we don’t communicate the way we think? The Johari Window offers key insights.
With this tool, you’ll uncover how you see yourself, how others see you, and how to bridge that gap to grow, connect, and lead more effectively.
The Johari Window is a self-analysis model and effective communication tool that divides a person’s information into four quadrants, based on whether it is known by themselves and/or by others.
It combines two axes:
What is known vs. unknown to oneself.
What is known vs. unknown to others.
This model is used in personal development, coaching, and teamwork, as it helps us better understand ourselves and improve how we relate to others.
Each quadrant represents a distinct space of personal information. Here’s what each one contains:
This includes everything you and others know about you: traits, skills, or visible behaviors. The bigger this area is, the greater the transparency, trust, and communication within the group.
This area holds what others see in you, but you don’t perceive: gestures, attitudes, tics, strengths, or unrecognized weaknesses. Receiving constructive feedback helps reduce this zone and expand your self-awareness.
This contains what you know about yourself but choose not to reveal: fears, experiences, beliefs, values. Gradually opening up, in a safe environment, leads to more authentic and trusting relationships.
This includes what neither you nor others know about you: untapped potential, undiscovered talents, or reactions you’ve never experienced. It usually comes to light in moments of change, therapy, coaching, or significant challenges.
What is the Johari Window for? Mainly for this:
Improving self-awareness: It helps align how you see yourself with how others see you, providing clarity about your strengths and areas for growth.
Facilitating interpersonal communication: By expanding the open area, misunderstandings decrease and trust improves.
Enhancing teamwork: It's highly useful in workshops, leadership activities, and feedback cultures.
Identifying blind spots: It shows what might be affecting collaboration or your professional development.
This is a simple yet powerful exercise. Here’s a 6-step guide:
It can be with a work team, in coaching, a class, or a study group. What’s essential: create a safe and respectful space where everyone feels comfortable sharing.
Use a standard list of adjectives (organized, creative, empathetic, impulsive…) wide enough to describe positive, neutral, and challenging traits.
Each person selects 5 to 10 adjectives they believe define them. These adjectives go in the "known to me" area (and will later be adjusted based on matches or differences).
Other participants choose adjectives to describe each person. These are then compared to the self-evaluation and distributed into the quadrants: open, blind, hidden, or unknown.
The group reviews each quadrant and reflects: What surprised me? What confirms what I already suspected? What behaviors do I need to adjust? This reflection deepens self-awareness and opens space for improvement.
Each participant defines one or two personal commitments. It could be asking for more feedback, opening up more to the team, or adjusting communication style. Ideally, the group revisits these later to track progress.
Nothing like seeing the model in action:
María sees herself as organized and responsible. Her team agrees, but also perceives her as controlling. She wasn’t aware of it. From there, they agree on new collaboration methods that give others more space.
A leader believes they communicate clearly, but the team finds them distant. The exercise reveals a large blind area. After receiving feedback, the leader adjusts their style to be more approachable.
Lucía does the exercise during therapy. She discovers others see her as creative and inspiring—traits she didn’t recognize in herself. By accepting them, she gains confidence and strengthens her self-esteem.
A remote team applies Johari to discuss communication styles. They discover cultural and stylistic differences were causing misunderstandings. The exercise helps set clear norms and improve collaboration.
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It’s important to remember there are many theories about how to organize ourselves and focus our energy on key areas like work.
The key is identifying what works for you and applying it, while also avoiding negative effects like burnout.
Advantages:
It’s very easy to understand and apply.
Improves self-awareness and promotes a culture of feedback.
Works well in coaching, training, and leadership contexts.
Limitations:
It requires honesty and trust; without them, feedback can be defensive or superficial.
It does not replace a deep therapeutic process. It helps raise awareness, but won’t solve everything.
You can even use Johari Window templates to conduct your own analysis.
What is the Johari Window in simple terms?
It’s a psychological model that divides what we know (and don’t know) about ourselves and what others perceive, to help us understand how we see—and are seen.
What is the Johari Window for?
It helps improve self-awareness, receive valuable feedback, strengthen trust in teams, and uncover blind spots.
Is it only used in companies?
No. It’s also helpful in psychology, education, coaching, couples therapy, and personal development groups.
What do I need to apply it with my team?
A group willing to participate, a list of adjectives, and a facilitator who creates a safe environment and guides the activity.
How often should it be repeated?
Ideally every six months or once a year. It helps measure progress and evolution in team trust.
The Johari Window is a powerful and visual tool to better understand ourselves, discover how others see us, and improve interpersonal communication. Its simplicity is part of its strength, and when used well, it can transform teams and relationships.
In the world of digital professionals (freelancers, remote teams, creators) models like Johari are as necessary as the financial tools we use to operate globally.
Just like you use platforms like DolarApp to handle payments securely, you can rely on the Johari Window to strengthen bonds with those you work with. Because growing professionally also means learning to listen—to yourself and your team.
Os países têm fronteiras. Suas finanças, não mais.
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