1 of 7

Let Me Be Clear

Transparency

What Is Transparency?

Transparency means being open and truthful when you communicate. Like

the scientific definition, being transparent when communicating means oth- ers can easily see (or find) the truths they need. Transparency means being clear with your words—avoiding lies, telling the truth, and being honest with everyone in any situation. Transparent people share all of the information a person would need, meaning they don’t pick and choose what to share. Just like a glass of water, a transparent person is just as they seem!

Transparency Maintaining open and truthful communication

You might be saying, “Hey—transparency seems a lot like honesty!” And you’d be right. Transparency and honesty are very similar. However, think of it like this: While you can be honest by revealing some of the truth, being transparent means shar- ing the whole truth (more on that later). A transparent person will reveal the truth without being asked, whereas honesty is offering the truth when someone asks.

Honesty

Truthfulness

SDI Productions/iStock/Getty Images Plus

UNIT 1 Performance Indicator: Explain the nature of ethics.

Let Me Be Clear

How familiar are you with the term “transparency”? Maybe you remember learning about it in science class! In science, something that is transparent is clear and easily seen through, such as a window or glass of water. But did you know transparency also applies to our everyday interactions?

2 of 7

Let’s look at an example. If you cheated while playing a card game with your family, honesty would mean admitting to it only if you are caught. Transparency, meanwhile, would be choosing to share that you had cheated because you realized you made a poor decision, rather than being caught. Transparent people don’t have to hide their actions or the truth. They follow their ethics—a set of beliefs (called principles) that guide behavior—because it helps them be open and honest in any situation or conversation.

Principles

Moral guidelines that help you differentiate between right and wrong

Dig Deeper: For more about honesty and telling the whole truth, check out this video from The Mr Saad Show. What are some similarities and differences between honesty and transparency?

bubaone/DigitalVision Vectors

Ethics

A set of beliefs (called principles) that guide behavior

Jupiterimages/iStockbyre

UNIT 1 Performance Indicator: Explain the nature of ethics.

Let Me Be Clear

3 of 7

denozy/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Dig Deeper: To learn more about what could happen if you aren’t telling the truth, check out Georgia Haukom’s TEDx Talk “The Effects of Lying.”

bubaone/DigitalVision Vectors

Half-Truth

A statement that is partly true but leaves out some facts; also called a partial lie

Characteristics of Transparency

An important characteristic of transparency is that it avoids half-truths (or partial lies). Transparent people tell the whole truth, not just some of it. By leaving out important information, you can mislead and deceive others. If you tell your family that you cleaned your room, but didn’t tell them you did it by shoving everything under your bed, you aren’t being transparent. Sure, your room looks clean—but you really just made a bigger mess under your bed!

Being transparent involves answering questions truthfully, even if the answer isn’t what the other person wants to hear. Sometimes, this can lead to conflict—and that’s OK! By being transparent, people can openly share what’s on their mind, discuss their differences, and come up with a solution that works best for everyone.

An environment that values transparency is productive. People are empowered to share their ideas and ask questions, which leads to improved communication, fewer misunderstandings, and better conflict resolution. In a transparent classroom, students aren’t afraid to share wrong answers or make mistakes, because they know it is part of the learning process!

UNIT 1 Performance Indicator: Explain the nature of ethics.

Let Me Be Clear

4 of 7

How To Be Transparent

Now that you know what it means to be transparent, how can you apply it in your daily life? Check out these tips:

Dig Deeper: Transparent people are often great communicators and have strong active listening skills.

For active listening tips, check out this video from HeartlinesZA.

bubaone/DigitalVision Vectors

UNIT 1 Performance Indicator: Explain the nature of ethics.

Let Me Be Clear

SDI Productions/E+

Be honest with yourself—You, more than anyone else, know if you are lying or with- holding the full truth. By being honest with yourself, you won’t try to convince yourself that your wrong decisions are right or that they aren’t that bad.
Listen and observe—Great communicators, like great scientists, are experts at observa- tion, or gathering information by watching and listening. To understand how someone is feeling, they pay close attention to both their words and body language.

5 of 7

Communicate consistently—If your basketball coach provides great advice during practice but ignores your questions during games, is that open communication? Nope. Transparency isn’t a one-time commitment—it is consistent and ongoing!

Be polite—It is important to be kind. If someone makes a mistake, be honest and point it out to them. But don’t tell them that you don’t like their glasses. Remember—transparency gives others information they need. On top of that, if something you say may be upsetting

to someone, say it in a respectful manner and show empathy. If you receive negative feedback from someone else, don’t be defensive. Listen to them and take time to respond to it thoughtfully.

Show responsibility—Nobody is perfect! We all make mistakes from time to time. When you aren’t as transparent as you could have been, reflect on your actions and plan to be more transparent moving forward. When you aren’t honest, it’s important to take responsibility for your decisions. Only then can you start making better decisions in the future.

If you are transparent, others will see you as someone who is easy to talk to, trustworthy, and dependable—which can lead to stronger relationships and a good reputation! Transparency allows others to be their true selves and to comfortably share their thoughts and feelings, even when it is hard. It may be difficult to do all the time, but making a consistent effort to be transparent can go a long way!

Empathy

The ability to relate to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences

of other people

Wavebreakmedia/iStock/Getty Images Plus

UNIT 1 Performance Indicator: Explain the nature of ethics.

Let Me Be Clear

6 of 7

You and your friend Jordan used to hang out all the time, as you both lived on the same street and went to the same school. However, Jordan’s family recently moved almost an hour away, making it difficult to see each other on a regular basis. But this Friday, you and Jordan made plans to get together for the first time in three months!

The day before your plans with Jordan, Jayden—the new student you have a crush on—asks you to come to the movies with him and his friends on Friday night. You have never spent time with Jayden outside of school, and you’re worried that tell- ing him no would give him the wrong impression—and you may not get another chance to hang out with him! So, you tell Jayden that you will be there. But now, you have to figure out how to break the news to Jordan,

knowing she is going to be upset that you’re canceling your much-anticipated plans.

What should you do in this situation? Should you be transparent with Jordan about why you canceled your plans and tell her about your feelings for Jayden?

Should you simply tell Jordan that you can’t hang out anymore and leave out the details? Or should you make up a false excuse so that Jordan’s feelings aren’t hurt?

drbimages/iStock/Getty Images Plus

UNIT 1 Performance Indicator: Explain the nature of ethics.

Let Me Be Clear

7 of 7

Let Me Be Clear (Transparency) Lesson Module

Vision Board (Journal Prompt)

You decide that tomorrow, you’re going to start being a more transparent person. But what will you need to do to be more transparent in your life? Is there anything you will need to change about your actions or your habits? If so, what tips from the narrative could help you? Write your answers below.

Then, consider how your life would change if you were more transparent. Will you need to have an open and honest conversation with anyone who you have lied to or told a half-truth to?

After answering these questions, write down five ways that transparency will impact your relationships going forward.