The Johari window exercise

Updated November 9, 2026

The Johari window, created by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in 1955, sorts what is known about you into four areas: open (you and others see it), blind (others see it, you don't), hidden (you see it, others don't) and unknown. In the popular word exercise built on it, you and a few friends each pick words that describe you, then compare the lists.

How to run the exercise

1. Pick five or six words that describe you from a shared list (one is below).
2. Ask three to five friends to pick five or six words for you from the same list.
3. Sort the words. Picked by you and a friend: open. Picked only by friends: blind. Picked only by you: hidden.
4. Ask about the blind words. "You picked brave. When did you see it?" A moment makes the word real.

An example

Example, written for this page. You pick: careful, kind, curious, humble, self-controlled. Your friends pick: kind, funny, brave, curious, energetic. Open: kind, curious. Blind: funny, brave, energetic. Hidden: careful, humble, self-controlled. The blind area is where the surprise is, and often where a strength hides.

Why the blind area matters

Research backs the idea. In Vazire's 2010 study, friends judged valued traits like intelligence and creativity better than people judged themselves. Vazire and Carlson (2011) explain why: on traits we care about, our own view bends toward what we hope or fear. A word alone is easy to brush off; ask for the moment behind it.

A word list to start with

creative, curious, open-minded, eager to learn, wise, brave, persistent, honest, energetic, loving, kind, socially aware, team player, fair, leader, forgiving, humble, careful, self-controlled, appreciative of beauty, grateful, hopeful, funny, spiritual. These follow the 24 character strengths of Peterson and Seligman (2004); add your own.

Questions