Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham developed the Johari (Joe and Harry) window model for a program in group process. It has become famous in the human resource development field as a communication and feedback model to depict how we give and receive information about ourselves and others.
The model depicts a four-paned window (see figure). Looking at the four panes in terms of columns and rows, the two columns represent the self; the first contains “things I know about myself,” and the second contains “things I do not know about myself.” The rows represent the group one is in or others, the first row being “things they know about me,” and the second being “things they do not know about me.” The size of (i.e., the information contained in) each of these panes varies as the level of mutual trust and exchange of feedback varies in the group in which the person is interacting.
The Arena contains information that I know about myself and about which the group knows. It is an area characterized by free and open exchange of information between myself and others. The Arena increases in size as the level of individual-individual or individual-group trust and communication increases.
The Blind Spot is the information known about me by others, but which I do not know about myself. This information may be in the form of body language, habits or mannerisms, tone of voice, style, etc. Our Blind Spots are the things we are not aware that we are communicating to others. It frequently is surprising to learn about these things and to learn how many of them there are. For persons with large Blind Spots, learning to solicit feedback can be quite useful and enlightening.
The Facade is the area of information that I know about myself but which, for some reason, I withhold from others. This information may include feelings, opinions, prejudices, and past history. People have various motives for keeping secrets: some may fear rejection or ridicule; others may