Window of Johari: the process of self-knowledge

Dear readers of the "Diary of Success"!

I'm sure that the topic of today's article " Johari Window " is new for most of my readers, because this self-knowledge technique belongs to the arsenal of tools of professional psychologists.

Science has proven that most people attend psychological training sessions or go to sessions with a psychologist, not so much to solve a particular problem, how much more, then, in order to understand themselves, to choose the right direction of movement, to understand their secret desires.

But in order to do this, you do not need to spend money.

Johari window: what it is and what it takes

In the distant 1950, two American scientists, Joseph Laft and Harry Ingram, teachers at the University of California, conducted group dynamics research.

The result of this study was the creation of Windows Johari - a terrific technique that allows a person to understand himself.

Such original name of the technique came from the merger of the names of two scientists.

With this Window you can:

• learn about your strengths and weaknesses;
• understand how your friends see you;
• to understand your own character;
• reveal its hidden sides;
• to create your own portrait, etc.

In fact, this tool of self-discovery is easy to use, even a beginner can handle it, and it looks quite simple:

Do you want, you can print from the Internet a ready-made layout of Windows Johari, but, in my opinion, it's wiser not to spend on ittime, and take and draw a sheet of paper in the form of a table.

After completing the preparatory period, proceed to fill all four windows.

The main thing is ultimate honesty, do not try to look better than you really are.

You do not do your homework on the top five, but try to figure out the intricate labyrinths of your own soul.

Open area Windows Johari

This is the simplest stage of passing the test.

In this box write the character traits or properties that you have and that other people appreciate in you.

You do not need to be too modest, but you do not need to attribute yourself to all the existing virtues: 3-6 basic qualities will be enough.

"I'm going to and discover the whole world!"
Johann Wolfgang Goethe

For example, passing this technique, in the first window my friend Marina wrote:

1. Active - a day she manages to do a lot of things, in addition to the main work to conduct two Internet-project.

   At the same time finds time for friends and family.

2. True - and friends, and relatives, and now Marina's husband can not reproach her for treason.
3. Responsible - if promised, it will not look for ways to escape, but will do everything to fulfill the promise.

4. Strong.

   I know Marina from school, this quality has always been different.

5. Feminine - yes, these ladies in our time still look, even her home clothes are beautiful and fashionable.

Hidden zone Windows Johari

This should include those personal qualities that you know about, but do not hurry to reveal to people.

The reasons can be different:

• the desire to seem better than you really is;
• fear that this can be used against you;
• unwillingness to open too strongly to others, etc.

The list of Marina looked like this:

1. Spitfire.

   I never would have thought that a refined, sensible friend is capable of outbursts of anger, but it turns out that she just keeps herself in her hands.

2. Complicating.

   On rudeness or insults Marina meets with a tremendous sense of humor.

   I always thought that it was impossible to injure her and the real discovery was that her rudeness offended and upset her.

3. Reliable.

   I understand that this word does not exist in Russian, but the girlfriend used it because it could not find a match.

   It turns out that Marina is experiencing for any reason, but does not show this to others.

Blind spot of Johari Windows

This area implies a description of the qualities that others see in you, but you do not see it yourself. There are two ways to fill this window: ask a close friend or for a while to listen to how you are characterized by others.

The first method is much simpler and faster.

Marina asked me to describe the character traits that are invisible to her.

I wrote the following:

1. Compassionate.

   Often Marina plays the role of such an iron lady, but I know perfectly well how much she worries about homeless animals, sick children, lonely old people, etc.

   She would have the opportunity, she would save the whole world.

2. Narcissistic.

   I had to go through a slight indignation of my friend, but I argued, with examples, proved that even in a conversation with me she sometimes abused the principle of "praise me, my gubonki."

3. Brave - to gasp at the sight of spiders - this is not a sign of cowardice, especially when you are brave enough to take up a new case or throw yourself at the defense of the weak.

Unknown zone Windows Johari

The last square is the hardest to fill, because here you need to enter those character traits that neither you nor your associates know about.

Calmly, without panic!

There are several ways to fill this window:

1. Write those qualities that you would very much like to possess, but which, in your own opinion, do not have, and gradually develop them in yourself.

2. To listen to what your loved ones are missing from you.

   For example, Marina's husband sometimes jokingly says: "Be nice to me, my thorn", and the chief: "Marinochka, we have a new courier, do not frighten him on the first day of work", but, as is known, in any joke...

3. Use a variety of psychological tools( for example, the Enneagram model) or visit several sessions with a psychologist who will help to uncover your deeply hidden talents.

Marina used all three techniques and a few months later in the "Unknown Zone" of her window Johari appeared inscriptions: affectionate, friendly, creative, generous, hospitable.

And a few words of

about this model of personal development in the video below.

Of course, this technique is not a panacea that will instantly turn you into another - the ideal person, but it really can change your life for the better, show the right way in communicating with people, help to establish relationships with othersetc.

At least, Marina claims that Johari window helped her very much: conflicts and misunderstandings in her life became much less.