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Self awareness
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Self awareness deals with an individual realizing her strengths and weaknesses and as he systematically works on them to improve and grow herself
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SELF AWARENESSIntroducing the Johari Window
Derived from the work of Joseph Luft and Harry Ingram (1955) and named after them, the Johari
Window focuses on the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and human interactions. It is usually
diagrammatically presented in the form of a four paned ‘window’ (see figure below). The four quadrants:
known to all, blind region, hidden region and unknown region, represent the whole person and different
levels of awareness. The theory suggests that through the process of self-disclosure and constructive
feedback from others, the ‘known to all’ area expands, and the three other areas are reduced, thus
increasing self-knowledge and self-awareness and integration. The model is a simple and effective tool
for developing self-awareness.
The self
1. Known by all 2. Blind region
Aspects known by self Aspects unknown about self
Aspects known by others Aspects known by others
3. Hidden region 4. Unknown region
Aspects known by self Aspects unknown about self
Aspects kept hidden from others Aspects kept hidden from others
Figure: Modified Johari Window.
Quadrant 1: known to all
The quadrant ‘known to all’ can be viewed as our fully open window, or public region. It is the aspects of
us that we choose to show, or that cannot remain hidden from others, for example our height, body size
and shape, skin colour, attitudes, beliefs, morals, opinions, behaviour, hobbies, The ‘known to all’ area of
our window can be enlarged by self-disclosure (revealing more of ourselves).
Quadrant 2: blind region
The ‘blind region’ refers to aspects of us that others can see but that we are oblivious to, for example,
mannerisms, habits and other aspects of our behaviour that we remain unaware of. The ‘blind region’ of
our window can be reduced by listening to, and being receptive to hearing, what other people observe
(feedback). Constructive feedback is designed to help not to condemn. Becoming aware of the impact of
our behaviour and actions on others offers the opportunity for change – if we choose to.
Quadrant 3: hidden region
The ‘hidden region’ refers to aspects of us we know about but choose not to disclose (typically out of
fear, guilt or shame, or because they might hurt others if revealed) – for example, watching pornography,
sexual addiction, self-injury, child abuse, unacceptable traits, fear of public speaking. The ‘hidden
region’of our window can be reduced by opting to come out from behind our facade and reveal hidden
aspects, our fears or closely guarded secrets, with safe and trusted others. The process of disclosing
intimate details about ourselves with a trusted other can result in increased openness and intimacy for
both.
, Quadrant 4: unknown region
The ‘unknown region’ refers to aspects of us not yet discovered by ourselves or known to others – that
which remains unconscious, repressed, denied, disowned, or split off from our awareness – our dark side
(or in Jungian terms our ‘shadow’side). In psychoanalytic language this is the region of the unconscious,
seething with repressed desires, thoughts, feelings and wishes, which influence our current thoughts,
feelings and behaviour. Unconscious material often contains negative or painful experiences that are
deemed too difficult or perilous to face. Safely accessing our unknown regions usually requires help,
support and sensitive feedback from a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist.
Self Awareness and Careers
Learning About Yourself
Your skills, interests, beliefs, and values plus your likes and dislikes are very important in helping you
understand and appreciate who you are.
Assessments; One way to learn about yourself is through assessments. Assessments provide information
that will help you choose a career based on your talents and passions. By using all your unique qualities
to guide you, one can find a satisfying career. Then, in the future, you won’t look back, as many people
do, and dream about what you could have done and the life you could have had. Magazines, web sites,
and information in counselors’ offices are full of assessments. You can take an assessment to find out if
you are color blind. You can do brainteasers to assess your problem-solving skills. You can even take a
test to find out how well you sleep at night. These are all informal assessments and are based on what you
think. Formal assessments are based on the research of others. Career assessments focus on the activities
you like, your natural talents and abilities, and the characteristics of your personality. They focus on what
makes you unique. You can match the results of these assessments with your experiences and use the
career clusters to discover career.
Career assessments assist you in investigating, identifying, and recognizing those interests, personality
traits, abilities, values, attitudes, and individual preferences that will help you to succeed. Analyzing
assessment results can help you decide what you want from your career and how you want your life to
unfold. Thus, career assessments also help you set both your career goals and your life goals. Once you
have set goals, you can identify the steps needed to take action. With so many instruments available,
careful selection of career assessment tools is necessary so you will have an accurate basis for making
decisions and planning your career. Self-assessments, combined with formal assessments and informal
assessment activities, can give you a wide view of the options and the career areas that complement your
natural talents and abilities.
You want your career to be a part of you. You want your career to allow you to follow your passions. The
challenge is how to realize more about yourself and how to use the information you acquire. Learning
about yourself by taking assessments is one of the first steps toward helping you find your ideal career.
Types of Assessments
(A) Self-assessments are based on what you think and are generally taken without time limits in an
unstructured setting. A self-assessment may be a list of questions or a checklist. Although a self-
assessment may not include an interpretation of the results, the knowledge you acquire is a good
foundation for your career plan.
(B) Formal assessments are based on the research of others and are created by publishing companies that
specialize in assessments. Often, you will take a formal assessment in a group setting, using either a
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