I’ve heard the statement, ‘I’m just being transparent’ a little too often lately. It is the rationale people are trotting out when the truth is, they’re letting someone down. Yes, you can bail on a commitment if you’ve decided that’s how you want to operate in life. Just don’t call it ‘being transparent’.

When you are genuinely transparent, you don’t hide anything and it’s something you practise upfront, not after the fact.

Being transparent is a powerful thing as it means you can trust yourself and be trusted by others. Going back on an agreement destroys trust and burns bridges. People have long memories. Pretending you were being ‘transparent’ won’t protect your reputation in the long run.