Build the team
Johari window
Four panes of what's known about a person, to themselves and to others, used to grow the open pane through sharing and feedback.
- Time30 to 60 minutes
- People2 to 8 people
- Steps3
What it's for
The window has four panes. Open is what you and others both know about you. Blind is what others see that you don't. Hidden is what you know and keep to yourself. Unknown is what nobody knows yet. A team works more easily as the open pane grows, through people sharing a little more and asking for feedback.
In the classic exercise, each person picks a handful of words that describe them, and teammates pick words for them too. Keep the words positive and the exercise voluntary; it works best in a team that already gets on.
How to run it
Pick words10 min
Each person picks five or six words that describe them from a shared list, and teammates pick some for them.
Place them10 min
Words both chose go in Open, words only others chose in Blind, words only you chose in Hidden.
Talk about the blind spots15 min
What surprised you? Is there anything from Hidden you'd like to share?
Tips
- Use one board per person, or one window each in separate frames.
- Blind spots are often strengths people don't know they have. Start there.
Where it comes from
Created by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955. The name joins their first names.
Pairs well with
BRAVING trust inventory
Talk about trust in seven parts (boundaries, reliability, accountability, vault, integrity, non-judgement, generosity) instead of one big word.
User manual for me
Each person writes a short guide to working with them: how they like to communicate and get feedback, and what helps them do their best work.
Personal maps
Each person draws a mind map of themselves (home, work, hobbies, values) so a team learns who it is working with.