transparent: a : free from pretense or deceit : FRANK b : easily detected or seen through : OBVIOUS c : readily understood d : characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices.
Transparency does not mean that you can tell two different parties two different things. It is not telling your coworkers and/or staff one thing and your customers another. It is not telling one customer one thing and another customer a different thing. It might look like you are being transparent, you might call yourself transparent, but the right adjective is “manipulative.”
manipulate: to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one’s purpose.
Unfair != free from pretense or deceit.
Manipulation is only artful when you don’t get caught. And you know what? Your customers talk to each other. Whatever it is you are trying to hide will end up in the spotlight.
Spotlight == caught.
