Doris Young Associates'
Young Thoughts
Volume 6, Issue IV
April 2005
IN THIS ISSUEUsing Johari's Window to Understand Human Interaction
On The Lighter Side
Using Johari's Window to Understand Human InteractionThe Johari Window, named after the first names of its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, is one of the most useful models describing the process of human interaction. A four paned "window," divides personal awareness into four different types, as represented by its four quadrants: open, hidden, blind, and unknown. Imagine lines dividing the four panes like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses. The "open" quadrant represents things that both you know about me, and I know about me. For example, I know my name, and so do others. The knowledge that the window represents, can include not only factual information, but my feelings, motives, behaviors, wants, needs and desires... indeed, any information describing who you are. When you first meet a new person, the size of the opening of this first quadrant is not very large, since there has been little time to exchange information. As the process of getting to know one another continues you get to know more information that the person is open and willing to share. The "blind" quadrant represents things that you know about me, but that I am unaware of. So, for example, we could be eating at a restaurant, and I may have unknowingly gotten some food on my face. This information is in my blind quadrant because you can see it, but I cannot. If you now tell me that I have something on my face, then this information is now part of the open quadrant's area. Now, I may also have blind spots with respect to many other much more complex things. For example, perhaps in our ongoing conversation, you notice that eye contact seems to be lacking. You decide not to say anything because you don't want to embarrass me, or you draw your own inferences that perhaps I am insincere. Then the problem is, how does this information get out in the open, since it may be affecting the level of trust that is developing between us? How can I learn more about myself? Unfortunately, there is no readily available answer. I may notice a slight hesitation on your part, and perhaps this may lead to a question. But who knows if I will pick this up, or if your answer will be on the mark. The "hidden" quadrant represents things that I know about myself, that you do not know. So for example, I have not told you what my favorite dessert is. This information is in my "hidden" quadrant. As soon as I tell you that I love “Creme Brulee, I am moving the information from my hidden quadrant and enlarging the open quadrant's area. Again, there are vast amounts of information, virtually my whole life's story, that has yet to be revealed to you. As we get to know and trust each other, I will then feel more comfortable disclosing more intimate details about myself. This process is called: "Self-disclosure." The "unknown" quadrant represents things that neither I know about myself, nor you know about me. For example, I may disclose a dream that I had, and as we both attempt to understand its significance, a new awareness may emerge, known to neither of us before the conversation took place. Being placed in new situations often reveals new information not previously known to self or others. For example, I learned when I was an adult that I have a form of dyslexia that only occurs under stress. This new knowledge clarified for me why when I was a child I had so much difficulty reading during timed reading test or in front of the class. Thus, a novel situation can trigger new awareness and personal growth. The process of moving previously unknown information into the open quadrant, thus enlarging its area, has been likened to Maslow's concept of self-actualization. The process can also be viewed as a game, where the open quadrant is synonymous with the win-win situation. In healthcare, we are constantly balancing autonomous practices between physicians and nurses along with other healthcare professionals. Striving for win-win situations always gets the best results. The more self-knowledge you have the more successful you will be in your professional relationships. Likewise the more open the environment the better. Of course, open disclosure is done in a way that is appropriate for the situation. Continue to strive to increase your self-awareness whenever possible and if you have unfinished Psychological work to do then do it with professional counsellor or coach. Make a personal choice about what you will share at work and don't use the work environment for therapy. Nurses and physicians care for the same patient and therefore have an overlaping scope of care. The patient is best served when there is open communication among all practitioners. As nurses our most important role is that of patient advocate and bringing pertinent information to the physician’s attention. One problematic role nurses have taken on because of a sense of shortage is that of the physician’s handmaiden. We've all seen nurses who's only role is to carry out doctors' orders. Physicians perscribe medication and treatment plans. The nurse as the patient advocate reviews the medications and treatment plans and evaluates them for appropriateness. This is a life saving role that nurses play. Another problematic nurse role is that of compassionate nurse. Of course, nurses are and must be compassionate, but it takes more the compassion to do our job. The compassionate nurse role model will take as many patients as nursing administration gives and say nothing. Even if concerned about safety issues that may be involved with poor staffing practice the compassionalte nursing role continues to try be understanding. This is what leads to burn out and nurses leaving the hospital or worse the profession. Some nurses say they leave organizations that have poor staffing rather then voice their opinion because they fear no one will listen. This results in the nursing shortage and doesn't demonstrate the qualities of the confident nurse who is the patient advocate that is needed. The confident nurse knows when to step forward and make recommendations. It is important to do this with a calm confidence rather then waiting until anger and frustration gives the energy to take a stand. Sharing personal information improves relationships when it is done professsionally. Making recommendations becomes easier in an open professional relationship. Working together and supporting each other is the way to get successful results for the people we serve. Expand your "open" quadrent by sharing your self-knowledge with others where and when appropriate. Be willing to learn about your "blind" quadrant by owning your response to the situations that arise. Even more important, take the risk to share things you notice about others in a respectful and nonjudgmental way. This is the way to build trust. Share your "hidden" quadrant only when appropriate. And finally, expand your "unknown" quadrant by striving for continuous personal growth. We often think trust is a statement about others. i.e. "I don't trust Jane.' In reality trust is a statement about yourself. Trust only comes from trusting yourself enough to handle whatever the other individual does. You can develop trusting relationships only by trusting yourself and your ability to respond.
The Ranks of a Hospital
Surgeon . . .
Leaps tall buildings in a single bound
Is more productive than a train
Is faster than a speeding bullet
Walks on water
Talks with God
Internist . . .
Leaps short buildings in a single bound
Is more powerful than a switch engine
Is faster than a speeding bullet
Walks on water if the sea is calm
Talks with God if special request is approved General Practitioner . . .
Leaps short buildings with a running start and favorable winds
Is almost as powerful as a switch engine
Can fire a speeding bullet
Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool
Is occasionally addressed by God Resident . . .
Barely clears a picket fence
Loses tug-of-war with a train
Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self-injury
Swims well
Talks with animals Intern . . .
Makes high skid marks on a wall when trying to leap buildings
Is run over by a train
Is not issued ammunition
Dog paddles
Talks to walls Medical Student . . .
Runs into buildings
Wets himself with a water pistol
Cannot stay afloat without a life preserver
Mumbles to himself
Recognizes a train two out of three times Nurse . . .
Lifts buildings and walks under them
Kicks trains off the track
Catches speeding bullets with her teeth and eats them
Freezes water with a single glance
SHE IS God
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