Have you ever caught yourself reacting to a situation and wondered, “Why did I do that?” Or perhaps you’ve received feedback that completely surprised you about how others perceive you.
These moments point to something fascinating: much of what drives our behavior operates below our conscious awareness.
As a coach, I’ve noticed that the biggest obstacles to personal growth often lie in our blind spots and unconscious patterns.
But how can we do differently when we aren’t aware of what’s underneath our thoughts, reactions, or emotions?
I want to introduce you to a powerful tool that helps illuminate these hidden areas: the Johari Window.
The Johari Window: A Map of Self-Awareness
Think of the Johari Window as a map of your self-awareness. Created by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham, this model divides our personality and behaviors into four distinct regions:
The Open Area: Your Conscious Self
This is the “you” that both you and others know.
It’s your public self – your known behaviors, emotions, and ways of interacting.
When you’re operating from this space, you’re being authentic and transparent.
You know your strengths and openly share your thoughts and feelings.
The Blind Spot: What Others See (But You Don’t)
Here’s where things get interesting.
Your blind spots are aspects of yourself that others can see but you can’t.
Maybe you come across as defensive in meetings without realizing it.
Perhaps your well-intentioned advice sometimes sounds judgmental.
These blind spots often fuel our self-sabotaging behaviors – we can’t change what we can’t see.
The Hidden Area: Your Private World
This is your internal world – your private thoughts, fears, past experiences, and insecurities.
It’s what you choose to keep from others, often out of fear or habit.
While privacy is healthy, an oversized hidden area can block authentic connections and personal growth.
The Unknown: The Mystery Within
The most intriguing quadrant contains what neither you nor others know about you.
This area holds both your deepest patterns and your greatest possibilities.
It’s your untapped potential, unconscious motivations, and undiscovered talents.
Why This Matters for Your Growth
Understanding this model isn’t just theoretical – it’s transformational.
Here’s why:
When we operate on autopilot, our unconscious patterns run the show.
That quick anger response in traffic? It might stem from an unknown trigger and suppressed anger.
The way you withdraw in conflicts? Perhaps it’s an old survival pattern you never questioned.
These unconscious patterns shape our relationships, career decisions, behavior and life choices.
But here’s the good news: awareness is the first step to change.
Practical Steps To Increase Awareness
Expand Your Open Area
- Practice self-reflection daily (subscribe to my newsletter and get weekly reflection prompts)
- Write in a journal about your reactions and patterns
- Share yourself fully and openly with trusted people
- Ask for specific feedback about how you come across
Explore Your Blind Spots
- Create a feedback circle of trusted friends
- Pay attention when multiple people give you similar feedback
- Notice patterns in your relationships and interactions
- Stay curious about others’ reactions to you
Examine Your Hidden Area
- Question what you’re keeping private and why
- Practice appropriate vulnerability with people you trust
- Share your hidden thoughts and feelings gradually
- Notice where you hold back in relationships and with whom
Venture into the Unknown
- Try new experiences, especially the ones you are afraid of or you believe you Can’t do it or you judge them
- Challenge your beliefs about yourself and try to know if those are even your beliefs, or if they are from your family members, partner, friends…
- Work with a coach or therapist
- Pay attention to your dreams and intuitions
The Path to Authentic Living
The journey to a fulfilling life isn’t about eliminating our blind spots or sharing everything in our hidden area. It’s about developing a healthy relationship with all parts of ourselves.
When we understand our patterns, we can make conscious choices rather than react from unconscious programming.
We can choose vulnerability when it serves us, maintain healthy boundaries, and grow into more authentic versions of ourselves.
Each insight into your blind spots, each conscious choice to be vulnerable, each exploration of your unknown areas – these are steps toward living in your power instead of fear.
What patterns might you discover if you looked more closely at your own Johari Window?
The journey of self-discovery awaits. Remember, transformation begins with awareness.
