TRANSPARENCY BRINGS CREDIBILITY

When something is “transparent” you can see into it clearly and examine it closely. Nothing is hidden or concealed. In organizational terms, transparency is allowing the open examination of practices and policies to prevent abuse. It is when budgets and financial statements can be reviewed and decisions are open to discussion, or even criticism. Such a culture of openness prevents the opportunity for authorities to abuse the system for their own interests or set damaging policies.  

There is no more fundamental expression of an organization’s integrity than transparency. When leaders allow open access to financial records and scrutiny of internal processes, it demonstrates their commitment to uprightness. Transparency reveals their willingness to be held accountable and keep their authority in check, ensuring they use their position to serve the organization, not themselves. Without transparency and the accountability it provides, authority tends to twist leaders into self-serving dictators abusing power for their own gain. It’s a fact of history. Transparency is the first causality of a dictatorship. Wherever a dictator existed—or exists, transparency must be eliminated so the leader can operate without checks and balances on his authority. 

Transparency is a function of accountability. It implies that the organization together with its leader and his team are subject to inspection. Even more, it demonstrates that the system in place allows the leader’s practices, policies, and decisions to be open to scrutiny, criticism, and even disagreement. Essentially, it means that an organization—and its leaders—are healthy, ethical and trustworthy. 

By contrast, the lack of transparency is a sign of unhealth and manipulation. When leaders avoid transparency, it’s usually because they are trying to get away with something that would be considered immoral or unethical by most people. The absence of transparency means leaders are hiding the fact that they are misusing their authority for personal benefit and not for the public’s good or the good of the organization they are called to lead.  Plainly stated, the lack of transparency is an indication of corruption. It is a sure sign that those in authority are keeping things in the dark because exposure would result in criticism or even expulsion. 

So how can an organization maintain its credibility as an ethical and trustworthy entity? How can leaders maintain their own integrity and avoid the very appearance of scandal. The next chapter provides practical guidelines for leaders who are serious about this issue. 

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