Years ago, two psychologists created something called Johari’s Window — a simple framework for understanding relationships.

They said every relationship falls into four spaces: the arena, blind spots, facades, and the unknown.

The one I want to focus on today is the arena. The arena is what’s known to be true. You know it. I know it. We may not agree with it or even like it, but it’s on the table. This is where trust lives, and progress happens.

Our job as leaders is to grow that arena and shrink the blind spots — the things others can see in us, but we can’t (or won’t) see in ourselves.

Here are 3 ways to make that happen:

Put It All On The Table

If your team has to guess about priorities, direction, or expectations, they’ll spend energy trying to figure out what’s real instead of focusing on the work that matters.

The more transparent you are about where you’re headed, what’s working, and what’s not, the more you create alignment. Progress accelerates when everyone sees the same reality.

Close The Loop Every Time

Few things damage trust faster than silence after someone shares an idea, concern, or update. When your team speaks up, make it a habit to respond — even if the answer may not be what they want to hear.

Closing the loop tells people their input was heard and valued, even if the decision goes another way. Over time, that reliability builds confidence and keeps the arena strong. 

Make It Safe To Speak Up

A bigger arena only happens when people feel comfortable contributing their perspective — even if it’s critical or unpopular. That means creating an environment where they feel confident, comfortable, and capable of speaking up without fear of embarrassment or backlash.

The safer the space, the more honesty you get…and the fewer blind spots you have.

When you grow your arena, you shrink the shadows that slow your team down. Trust gets stronger, conversations get real, and you can move the mission forward together.

If you want to go deeper into strategies like this, watch my two-part leadership workshop on YouTube:

• Part 1: People-First Leadership That Gets Results
• Part 2: Building Trust, Clarity, and Alignment in Your Team