Open Teams

Introduction

The Johari Window focuses on team members who are open with each other. Open groups develop a higher probability of working well together due to a higher level of trust that develops among co-workers ("The Johari Window,” n.d.). Three major concepts related to the Johari Window will be discussed along with practical application.

Major Concepts

Team Building Model

Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham developed The Johari Window to focus on building a greater communication understanding with co-workers ("The Johari Window,” n.d.). The tool consists of four quadrant grids that give a visual representation of an individual’s openness. The four quadrants are listed as follows, Open Area (what is known by all), Blind Area (what the individual is not aware of, but others are), Hidden Area (what only the individual knows), and the Unknown Area (things that are unknown to all parties) ("The Johari Window,” n.d.). The goal of this tool is for an individual to have a large Open Area by sharing information.

Self-Disclosure

“The process of enlarging the Open Area quadrant is called "self-disclosure," and it's a give-and-take process that takes place between yourself and the people that you're interacting with” ("The Johari Window,” n.d., para. 4). In a group setting, giving personal information such as strengths and weaknesses can be a way to facilitate self-disclosure. Opening up may be a difficult task for some. However, self-disclosure is vital in the development of relationships and is viewed as a requirement for closeness (Bareket-Bojmel & Shahar, 2011, p.733).

Importance of Feedback

The goal of feedback is to reduce the Blind Area an individual possesses, which will increase the individual’s Open Area ("The Johari Window,” n.d.). “Feedback requires giving and receiving information. Therefore, feedback should be viewed as a conversation that should meet the needs of all involved” (Mantesso, Petrucka, & Bassendowski, 2008, para. 8). Since the purpose of feedback is to meet needs, feedback should be truthful and constructive to be beneficial to the parties involved ("The Johari Window,” n.d.).

Concept Application

Faith and Learning Integration

A key component of The Johari Window is self-disclosure. Scripture says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5, King James Version). Christians must know who they are and where they are spiritually. Self-disclosure allows the individual to be honest with themselves. Feedback from the Bible or from a peer can be helpful in enlarging the Open Area.

Strategies for Leadership and Management Development

Providing opportunities for communication development will assist proper understanding of ideas. “Achieving clarity in inter-personal communication is a challenge to both the sender and the receiver of a message” (Satterlee, 2009, p. 143). The Johari Window allows group members to focus on breaking down the barriers of the communication process. Management that gives time for interaction during the forming stage of group development provides group members the opportunity to declare their values and work goals.

Conclusion

Managers establish teams to increase quality and productivity for the organization (Satterlee, 2009). The Johari Window shows that a group with individuals who are seeking a large Open Area will increase productivity. Groups with Blind or Hidden Areas dominating the individual’s quadrant grid need adjustments that focus on enlarging the Open Area buy using feedback ("The Johari Window,” n.d.).

References

Liad Bareket-Bojmel, & Shahar, G. (2011). Emotional and interpersonal consequences of self-disclosure in a lived, online interaction. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30(7), 732-759. doi: http://dx.doi.org/101521jscp2011307732

Mantesso, J., Petrucka, P., & Bassendowski, S. (2008). Continuing professional competence: Peer feedback success from determination of nurse locus of control. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(5), 200-5; quiz 206-7, 240

Satterlee, Anita. (2009). Organizational Management and Leadership: A Christian Perspective. Roanoke, VA: Synergistics, Inc.

The Johari Window: Using Self-Discovery and Communication to Build Trust. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/JohariWindow.htm