Constructive Self&-Disclosure

            Open communication is an important key to personal growth and job satisfaction. Self&-disclosure&-the process of letting another person know what you think, feel, or want&-promotes communication within an organization. It differs from self&-description in that it usually involves some risk. Most  people want and need accurate feedback from coworkers and the person who supervises their work.

            Constructive self&-disclosure can result in many rewards to people and organizations. It can pave the way for increased accuracy in communication, reduction of stress, increased self&- awareness, and stronger interpersonal relations.

            The Johari Window helps conceptualize four kinds of information areas involved in communication: the open area, what you and others know about you; the blind area, what others know about you that you don't know about yourself; the hidden area, what you know but others do not; and the unknown area, what neither you nor others know. Most people gradually increase the open area as they learn to communicate with others. 

            Everyone can learn how to use self&-disclosure in a constructive way. Your goal should always be to approach self&-disclosure with the desire to improve your relationship with the other person. Describe your feelings and emotions accurately, and avoid making judgments about the other person. Disturbing situations should be discussed as they happen; it is difficult to recapture feelings once they have passed. Select the right time and place to share your thoughts and avoid inappropriate disclosure of highly emotional or intimate information.

            A climate of trust serves as a foundation for self&-disclosure. In the absence of trust, people usually avoid revealing their thoughts and feelings to others. Self&-disclosure is also more apt to take place within an organization when people feel comfortable stepping outside their assigned roles and displaying openness for the feelings of others than when they do not.

            Lack of familiarity can be a barrier to constructive self&-disclosure. To the extent that you remain a mystery, other people may decide the risks of  self&-disclosure are too high. The old saying that "familiarity breeds contempt" is simply a myth. Too much distance between people can set the stage for mutual distrust.

            As with learning any new skill, you can improve your ability to disclose your thoughts and feelings by starting with less threatening disclosures and proceeding slowly to more challenging situations.