Johari window,2

Self-Disclosure:
An Introduction

• Lack of self-disclosure weakens the
communication process
• Self-disclosure can lead to more open
and supportive environments

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

8-1

Self-Disclosure Defined
• The process of letting another person
know what you think, feel, or want
• Revealing private, personal information
that can not be acquire somewhere else
• Usually involves some degree of risk


8-2

Self-Description Defined
• Self-description involves disclosure of
nonthreatening information
– age
– favorite food
– where you went to school

• Information that can usually be acquired
in some other way
• Differs from self-disclosure


8-3

Self-Disclosure
• Examples include your feelings about
– being a member of a minority group
– job security
– policies and procedures


8-4

Total Person Insight
It’s great when employees can read the
subtle nuances of your behavior and figure
out exactly what you require of them. But let’s
face it: Most people aren’t mind readers.
Even if they’re smart, they may be oblivious
to what’s important to you—unless you spell it
out for them.
Albert J. Bernstein and Sydney Craft Rozen
Authors, Sacred Bull: The Inner Obstacles that Hold You Back
at Work and How to Overcome Them


8-5

Four Benefits of Self-Disclosure
•
•
•
•

Increased accuracy in communication
Reduction of stress
Increased self-awareness
Stronger relationships


8-6

The Johari Window: A Model for SelfUnderstanding
• Model considers that there is
information
– you and others know
– only you know about yourself
– only others know about you
– nobody knows


8-7

The Johari Window
• Your willingness or unwillingness to
engage is self-disclosure, and listen to
feedback, has a lot to do with your
understanding of yourself and others’
understanding of you.


8-8

Johari Window

Figure 8.2


8-9

The Four Panes of the
Johari Window
•
•
•
•

Open
Blind
Hidden
Unknown


8 - 10

Open Area
• Represents the “public” or “awareness”
area and contains information that both
you and others know
• Information that you don’t mind
admitting
• Gets bigger over time as relationships
mature


8 - 11

Open Area
• A productive relationship is related to
the amount of mutually held information
• Building a relationship involved
expanding this area


8 - 12

Blind Area
• Information about yourself that others
know but you are not yet aware
• Others may see you differently than you
see yourself
• Effective relations strive to reduce this
area
• Open communication encourages
people to give you feedback


8 - 13

Hidden Area
• Information that you know that others
do not
• Private feelings, needs, and past
experiences that you prefer to keep to
yourself
• If this area is too large, you can be
perceived as lacking authenticity


8 - 14

Unknown Area
• Information that is unknown to you and
to others
• Areas of unrecognized talent, motives,
or early childhood memories that
influence your behavior
• Always present, never disappears
• Open communication can expose some
of this area


8 - 15

Johari Window
• The four panes are interrelated
• Changes to one pane impact the size of
the others
• As relationships develop, the open area
should grow


8 - 16

Self-Disclosure/
Feedback Styles
•

Two communication processes within
our control that impact relationships:
1. Self-disclosure of thoughts, ideas, and
feelings
2. Seeking feedback from others

•

Characteristics of using both
effectively:
– candour
– openness
– mutual respect


8 - 17

Johari Window at the Beginning of a Relationship (left)
and After a Closer Relationship Has Developed (right)

Figure 8.3


8 - 18

360-Degree Feedback
• 360-degree feedback is based on belief
that employees will benefit from
feedback collected from several
sources
• Evaluations by boss, peers,
subordinates, and sometimes
customers
• Often in questionnaire form
• Involves risk if not done correctly

8 - 19

Appropriate Self-Disclosure
• Information should be disclosed in
constructive ways
• Anyone can learn this skill
• Often means changing attitudes and
behaviors
• Questions about disclosing information:
– How much and how intimate?
– With whom?
– Under what conditions?

8 - 20

Barriers to Self-Disclosure
• Why do people conceal their thoughts
and feelings?
• Why are candor and openness so
uncommon in organizations?
• Several barriers prevent self-disclosure


8 - 21

Lack of Trust
• Trust exists when you fully believe in
the integrity and character of the other
person or organization
• Complex emotion that combines three
components:
– Caring
– Competency
– Commitment


8 - 22

Lack of Trust
• The most common and the most
serious barrier to self-disclosure
• Communication suffers as the level of
trust declines
• People are less likely to discuss
problems and issues


8 - 23

Lack of Trust
• Trust in organizations is declining:
– Rapid changes
– Uncertainty caused by frequent layoffs
– Business scandals

• Lack of trust can cause:
– Culture of insecurity
– High turnover
– Poor customer relations
– Marginal loyalty

8 - 24

Lack of Trust
• Level of trust is a thermometer of
individual and group health
• Build trust by being trustworthy all the
time!


8 - 25


8 - 26

Total Person Insight

Trust is the core of all
meaningful relationships.
Without trust there can be no
giving, no bonding, no risk
taking.
Terry Mizrahi

8 - 27

Role Relationships Versus Interpersonal
Relationships
• Self-disclosure is more likely to take
place within an organization when
people
– Feel comfortable stepping outside their
assigned roles
– Display more openness and tolerance for
the feelings of others


8 - 28

Relationships
• Role expectations are often clearly
specified
• Some have trouble stepping outside an
impersonal role at work
• Supervisors often seem role as
impersonal


8 - 29

Relationships
• Some may draw a sharp line of
distinction between
– role relationships
– interpersonal relationships

• Distinctions usually inspire lack of trust


8 - 30

Practice Self-Disclosure
• Do you need to practice more selfdisclosure?
• Could you benefit by telling others more
about your thoughts, feelings, wants
and beliefs?


8 - 31

SelfDisclosure
Indicator


8 - 32

• Becoming a more open person is not
difficult if you practice
– Take small steps
– Begin with telling someone how you
honestly feel
– Move toward more challenging encounter


8 - 33

• With practice you will
– Feel more comfortable
– Find self-disclosure rewarding
– Find others begin to open up and share
more thoughts, ideas, and feelings with
you

Everyone Wins!


8 - 34

Summary
• Open communication is the key to job
satisfaction and personal growth
• Self-disclosure promotes
communication within an organization
• Most people want and need accurate
feedback from coworkers and
supervisors


8 - 35

Summary
• Constructive self-disclosure can pave
the way for
– Increased accuracy in communication
– Reduction of stress
– Increased self-awareness
– Stronger interpersonal relationships


8 - 36

Summary
• The Johari Window helps conceptualize
four kinds of information areas involved
in communication
– Open: you and others know
– Blind: only others know
– Hidden: only you know
– Unknowns: no one knows

• Open area grows as relationships
develop

8 - 37

Summary
• Everyone can learn to use selfdisclosure in a constructive way
– Describe feelings and emotions accurately
– Avoid making judgments
– Repair damaged relationships

• Learn art of apologizing and
forgiveness
– Discuss as situations happen
– Select the right time and place
– Avoid inappropriate disclosure

8 - 38

Summary
• Trust serves as the foundation for selfdisclosure
• Sensitivity to others and stepping out of
assigned roles builds trust
• Everyone can improve their ability to
disclose thoughts and feelings


8 - 39

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