Johari Window on Interpersonal Communication and Managerial Styles

The Johari window illustrates how differences in interpersonal communication styles and perceptions can account for differences in how managerial styles are understood by the organization (Gibson, Ivancevich, & Donnelly, 1994). The Johari window describes a conceptual area where information is known and is organized along two axes: Feedback and Exposure.

The region of relevant information that is known to others (subordinates) and to self (manager) is named the Arena, a conceptual area that is most conducive to effective personal relationships and communication. Adjacent to the Arena is an area named the Blind Spot, a region where the same level of information is known to self (manager) and more information is known to others (subordinates). The Blind Spot is an area where interpersonal relationships suffer due to lack of feedback from others about reactions, feelings and perceptions. The Arena of effective communication can be extended into the Blind Spot with more Feedback to self (manager) from others (subordinate). Below the Arena is an area named the Façade where more information is known to self (manager) than is known to others (self). The Façade is an area of limited communication where a “false front” can limit honest communication. The Arena of effective communication can be extended toward the Façade, thus reducing its influence by self (manager), by providing more exposure to others (subordinate). Diagonally located from the Arena, below the Blind Spot, and to the right of the Façade is an area named Unknown, where individuals with little or nothing in common must attempt to communicate.

Feedback from others to self (manager) or exposure of self (manager) to others extends the arena in a balanced (diagonal) direction toward the unknown, and thus, expanding the area of shared feelings, experiences, data, assumptions and skills.

Reference

Gibson, J.L., Ivancevich, J.M., & Donnelly, J.H., Jr. (1994). Organizations: Behavior, structure, processes (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Irwin.