Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The Johari Window and the Interview



I’ve always been interested in human behavior and inserted various tools such as Myers Briggs or DiSC into my training programs. They provided a new way of looking at things and were a thought provoking take on what I was teaching. That’s why I find the Johari Window noteworthy.

The Johari Window was developed in the 1950s by Joseph Ingham and Harry Luft (Johari; interesting take on their names) to increase our understanding of the relationships and behaviors we have with ourselves and with others. The Johari Window looks like this.


I Know
Open
You Know
Information about you that both you and others know.
I Don’t Know
Blind Spot
You Know
Information about you that you don’t know but others know.
I know
Hidden
You Don’t Know
Information about you that you know but others don’t know.
I Don’t Know
Unknown
You Don’t Know
Information about you that neither you nor others know.



Open- This is the information that both of you know about you. It can be basic, such as your name, job title, location but you can also share feelings, motives and behaviors with others. The more you share with others and the more self-aware you are and the more “open” this particular window is.

Blind – This is behavior that you don’t know about yourself that others do know. For example, perhaps you jingle the change in your pocket or constantly clear your throat when you are nervous. It can also be your good habits such as being trustworthy or inclusive. You want to be aware of these habits so you bring them over to the “Open” area.

Hidden- There are certain bits and pieces of our behaviors and personality that we don’t share with people. It may be because we don’t know someone well enough or are uncomfortable sharing them. An example of this can be as simple as not telling someone that you are afraid of enclosed spaces or that you were up all night worrying about an interview response. Once you share that information it again moves to the “Open” area.

Unknown – This area represents the unspecified, undetermined behaviors about yourself that neither you nor someone else may know. You may have just met someone and have not yet shared any information or behaviors. This area reminds me of starting an icebreaker exercise at the beginning of a training program and being paired up with a complete stranger. It’s a clean slate; you can share as much or as little as you care to with this person. Once this happens, the information moves to the “Open” area.


Using the Johari Window for Your Job Search

The Johari Window can also be used in the job search. Let’s look at the quadrants in relationship to an interview. Other than a resume or perhaps a referral or connection, you and the interviewer are in the Unknown territory. Obviously you want to share your skills and experience with the interviewer and expand the Open area. 

Open - The more you share, the more this window expands. Here is where you share your experiences, strengths, weaknesses, goals and career aspirations. This is where you are aware of your personal interviewing strengths and how to use them. 

Blind Spot – Before the interview ask for feedback. Get a friend or hire a coach to practice interviewing with you and then get their candid feedback on what you did well and where you need practice. Did you fidget, did you make direct eye contact, was your handshake firm, were your responses direct and did they highlight your accomplishments? What wee your strengths? Once you get feedback, work on it.

Hidden - There are some things to keep hidden and then there are others that might want to come out. For example, the fact that when you are nervous you ramble doesn’t need to be shared. You could share that you felt exhilarated when a client bought into your product or service. It’s up to you; share this quadrant when you feel it is important to the interview.

Unknown: The more you share during the interview the more this quadrant shrinks and the Open area grows. 


The key to the Johari Window is to enlarge the Open quadrant by sharing information about yourself when appropriate. This expansion leads to better relationships and more self-awareness.  It may help with your interview too.

No comments:

Please Visit a Dermatologist

Today I had surgery for a Stage 0 Melanoma. It was discovered about a month ago when I went to my dermatologist for my annual skin screening...