Find the focus, make your work clear.

Find a method for your next update. Make the facts, judgments and next steps clear.

How can you reduce gaps in shared information?

The situation

Fictional scenario

We talk often, so why do we still understand progress differently?

Check what both sides know and what only one side knows. Ask for feedback on what you may have missed.

I’ll check work-relevant information and feedback, leaving personal disclosure voluntary.

What is getting in the way

Frequent conversation does not establish shared facts. The window distinguishes who knows what, guiding an update, feedback request or investigation. Requiring private disclosure is no basis for trust.

Method and tool

The Johari window for working information

Columns indicate whether you know; rows indicate whether the other person knows. The four areas describe information, not personality. Discuss only work information you are authorized to share.

A map of the method

The Johari window for working information

Who knows this information?
Other ↓ / You →	Known	Unknown
Known	1 Open Known to you and the other person: check the record, version and shared meaning.	2 Blind Unknown to you, known to the other person: ask for specific feedback or evidence.
Unknown	3 Hidden Known to you, unknown to the other person: share work-relevant information within permission; private disclosure is voluntary.	4 Unknown Unknown to both: investigate together rather than filling gaps with assumptions.

1
Open
You know · Other knows
Known to you and the other person: check the record, version and shared meaning.
2
Blind
You don’t know · Other knows
Unknown to you, known to the other person: ask for specific feedback or evidence.
3
Hidden
You know · Other doesn’t know
Known to you, unknown to the other person: share work-relevant information within permission; private disclosure is voluntary.
4
Unknown
Neither person knows
Unknown to both: investigate together rather than filling gaps with assumptions.

Share within your authority; personal disclosure is voluntary.

Apply it to your own work

Copy the prompt and add your material to prepare a draft you can adapt.

View prompt

Use “The Johari window for working information” with only the material I provide.
Place work information in the four areas by who knows it; mark uncertain knowledge states for confirmation. Suggest an update, feedback request or investigation. Respect confidentiality and voluntary disclosure; do not request personal histories or infer personality.

Use this structure:
1. Open: Known to you and the other person: check the record, version and shared meaning.
2. Blind: Unknown to you, known to the other person: ask for specific feedback or evidence.
3. Hidden: Known to you, unknown to the other person: share work-relevant information within permission; private disclosure is voluntary.
4. Unknown: Unknown to both: investigate together rather than filling gaps with assumptions.

Separate facts, interpretations, forecasts, proposals and approvals. Mark missing information “To confirm”. Do not invent figures, causes, owners, dates or agreement. Retain units, periods, denominators and conditions. Do not treat the fictional example as my evidence.

My material:
[Paste context, records, constraints and the response needed, with sensitive information removed.]