Do you have imposter syndrome or low confidence?
Have you heard of the Johari window?
It seems to have fallen out of fashion these days but it’s a tool I used a lot in the 1990s when I was a management development trainer (and I still use it today).
Luft and Harrington (1955) created this framework that can be used to give insights into self-awareness and also help combat imposter syndrome and low confidence.
The origins of the Johari Window
It was created by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955 (the name Johari is both of their first names). They initially developed it as a framework to improve group dynamics and communication, but it has been used widely in personal development, management and leadership training and even therapy.
What is it?
It is a 2×2 grid divided into four quadrants.
- Open Area (known to self and others): This is the information about yourself that you are aware of and you share openly with others – this can be your strengths, skills and preferences.
- Blind Spot (known to others but unknown to self): These are traits, skills or behaviours that others notice about you but you are not aware of.
- Hidden Area (known to self but unknown to others): Things you know about yourself but you keep hidden from others – this could be your fears or aspirations.
- Unknown Area (unknown to self and others): This could be things you’ve never tried, it’s your untapped potential or subconscious patterns that nobody (including you) is aware of.
For a free downloadable template – click here.
How to use it
You will need others to help you with some of the analysis so you should find a setting where there is trust and open communication.
- Start with Open. List all the qualities, skills and traits you are comfortable sharing. This is the foundation quadrant. You should be happy that these are genuine strengths and skills and that they are well understood by you and those around you.
- Seek feedback for your blind spot. This is where you need to get brave. Ask trusted friends, colleagues or mentors to share their observations about you. This might uncover strengths or areas for improvement that you were not aware of previously. You might also need to do some reflection if you don’t recognise the strengths or development areas right away – ask for examples to help you.
- Expand your open area. Gradually share more from your hidden area. Again, this takes some trust so start gradually. This will help you to deepen your relationships and might help with mutual understanding.
- Explore the unknown. Try new things, test your unknown skills and strengths. This may uncover hidden talents you had no idea about.
How does it help combat imposter syndrome?
If you’ve ever had imposter syndrome (and I reckon most of us have had that niggling feeling of self-doubt at some time in our careers) – you know that it feels like you aren’t as competent as others think you are – that constant feeling of being ‘found out’. The Johari window can be a fantastic way to start overcoming those feelings.
- Expand the open area. We don’t want quadrants of equal size – the bigger your open area, the more you understand about yourself and you are sharing with those around you. This can really help because by sharing your achievements and getting some external validation can be great in counteracting self-doubt.
- Getting feedback. Having others highlight your strengths can really help you to reframe negative self-talk in the blind spot.
- Exploring the unknow. Sometimes imposter syndrome comes from untapped skills or unrecognised patterns. By exploring these areas, you can boost your confidence and quieten down the negativity of self-doubt.
How to get started
Start small. Start by sharing minor details from your hidden area and then you can build up to sharing deeper topics.
Choose who you will share will wisely. Feedback is great, but you want to make sure it is effective and that is best when it is shared by someone who genuinely supports your growth.
Reflect and revisit your Johari Window to track how your open area is expanding over time.
The power of self-awareness
The Johari Window is more than a self-awareness tool; it’s a bridge to authentic connections and personal growth. By understanding how you’re perceived and addressing hidden fears or untapped potential who knows where you will end up? It can really help you silence the negativity of self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
Download the free template and see where it takes you, you might be surprised what you discover!
Need some support to build your confidence or overcome imposter syndrome? Contact me to see how mentoring might be a way to get your career unstuck.
