👔 Module 7: Johari Window in Leadership

1. Communicate Your "Why" Constantly (Large Open Area)

Rama's way: Everyone knew his dharma-first philosophy

Your way:

• Share your team's vision repeatedly in meetings
• Explain the "why" behind decisions, not just "what"
• Be transparent about priorities and trade-offs
• Example: "We're prioritizing quality over speed because long-term reputation matters more than short-term gains"

2. Show Appropriate Vulnerability (Reduce Hidden Area)

Rama's way: Grieved openly for Sita, admitted challenges

Your way:

• "I don't have all the answers. Let's figure this out together"
• "I made a mistake here. Here's what I learned"
• "This project is challenging me too. Let's support each other"
• Balance: Be human, but maintain professional composure

3. Actively Invite Dissent (Small Blind Area)

Rama's way: Welcomed Vibhishana despite team skepticism

Your way:

• "I want to hear opposing viewpoints. Who disagrees and why?"
• "What am I missing? What are the risks I'm not seeing?"
• "Challenge my thinking - I need diverse perspectives"
• Reward people who speak up, don't punish dissent

4. Lead by Serving (Open Area Consistency)

Rama's way: Lived like his soldiers, served his people

Your way:

• Roll up sleeves and help when team is overwhelmed
• "What do you need from me?" not "What have you done?"
• Credit team publicly, take blame privately
• Remove obstacles for your team's success

5. Be Predictably Consistent (Stable Open Area)

Rama's way: Same principles in crisis and calm

Your way:

• Don't change values when under pressure
• Treat team members fairly and consistently
• Follow the same decision-making framework
• Let people know what to expect from you

Real Example:

"Vikram became team lead at an IT company. He adopted Rama's principles: (1) Shared team vision every Monday, (2) Admitted when he didn't know something, (3) Created a 'challenge my thinking' culture in meetings, (4) Helped team members with coding when they were stuck, (5) Consistently recognized effort regardless of outcomes. Within a year, his team had the highest engagement scores and lowest attrition in the company. His transparency built trust, his vulnerability built connection, his consistency built confidence."

Do You Recognize These Workplace Bhishmas?

How to Avoid the Bhishma Trap:

1. Question Your "Oaths": What commitments are you using to avoid moral responsibility?
2. Distinguish Loyalty from Complicity: Serving someone doesn't mean enabling their wrong actions
3. Speak Up When It Matters: Your silence gives legitimacy - use your voice and position
4. Accept That Feedback: When multiple people say you're enabling something wrong, listen!
5. Be Willing to Lose Your Position: Sometimes standing for right means leaving wrong situations

Real Example:

"Sarah was VP at a pharma company when she learned her CEO was hiding drug side effects to rush FDA approval. She faced her 'Bhishma moment': Stay silent (keep job, salary, status) or speak up (risk everything). Unlike Bhishma, she chose dharma over oath. She reported to the board and regulatory authorities. She was fired. But the drug was pulled, preventing patient harm. Three years later, she's now CEO of another company - hired specifically because of her integrity. The board said: 'We want leaders who do the right thing when it's hard.' Her refusal to have a Bhishma blind spot defined her career."