Using the Johari Window to Build Deeper Trusting

Relationships
(20-25 minutes)

Purpose
• To understand the role of sharing information and receiving feedback to
building deeper relationships
• To learn how to build trust intentionally into relationships and the work
environment through the Johari Window

Materials
• Johari Window handout
• Markers and easel paper

Facilitator Instructions

1. (Share overview.) As people come together to build collective leadership for

community change, they need to develop deeper relationships to support working
together in new ways. It is easy to get to a polite level of relationship and stay at
that level without having the more challenging conversations that need to take place
in order to build deeper and stronger relationships.

Learning how people with different world views and approaches can work
together requires sharing ways of interacting that are most effective for
individuals. The Johari Window is a tool for developing better understanding and
trust among people who interact regularly.

2. (Provide overview of Johari Window – See attached handout.)

1. Open. Things we know about selves, others know about us. What are
some things that would be in this window? E.g. how tall we are, hair
style, whether or not we wear glasses.

2. Hidden. Things we know about ourselves, others don’t. What are

some examples here? (Beliefs in religion, politics our fears, dreams,
etc.) When we open this window to share something about ourselves
we invite others in. Disclosure builds trust.

3. Blind. Things we don’t know about ourselves, but others do. What are
some examples? E.g. At a light level – you have spinach in your teeth.
At a deeper level – you talk too much at meetings, or you have this
real gift of making people feel comfortable.

When you LET someone open this window on you, you will create trust
between you. You decide when, where, how and how often you want
to receive this FEEDBACK. When you want to open this window on
someone else and give Feedback, ask permission first. Don’t pounce!

© Center for Ethical Leadership (206) 328-3020 center@ethicalleadership.org 1

 That destroys trust. Opening this window requires compassion and
kindness.

4. Unknown. Things I don’t know and you don’t either. This is the area
of mutual discovery, collaboration, surprise, “fortuitous collisions.” The
future is in this window. This is what we will discover in ourselves and
each other by interacting and building relationships.

3. Personal Reflection. What conversations would you like to have using the
Johari Window? (Share a story of when you have effectively disclosed
something hidden about you and also shared feedback to provide an
example.)
1. Think of someone in your work group that you don’t know well or with
whom you would like to build a deeper and stronger relationship.
What is something in your “hidden” window that you are willing to
share to build trust with that individual? Or to help your group work
better together, what are some things you might disclose to them?
Make a commitment to yourself to have this meeting in the next week.

2. What feedback would you like to give to this person, if they were open
to it? How will you phrase your request to give them feedback? How
will you phrase the feedback in a gentle manner, so the person
believes you have their best self in mind and so you do not damage
the relationship? E.g. I notice in meetings that you…. I approach
discussions in a different way… I wonder how we can find a way to be
on the same page. Make a commitment to invite this person to meet
with you in the next week.

3. What is some feedback about yourself you would like to have? Who
do you want it from? Make a commitment to having this conversation.

Opening our hidden window and being willing to have others open our blind widow
are ways to build more meaningful relationships. To be effective requires us to do
this with kindness, safety, and caring. Our good intentions can make a tremendous
positive difference.

© Center for Ethical Leadership (206) 328-3020 center@ethicalleadership.org 2

The Johari Window

The Johari Window, named after the first names of its inventors, Joseph Luft and
Harry Ingham, is one of the most useful models describing the creation of trust in
human interaction.

A four paned “window,” as illustrated above, divides personal awareness into four
types: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like
window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses. We build trust by
opening the shades upon ourselves to others, and allowing them to open windows
into us.

Luft, Joseph, 1969. Of Human Interaction. Mayfield Publishing Company.

© Center for Ethical Leadership (206) 328-3020 center@ethicalleadership.org 3