La Transparence

In the first half of the 19th Century, the concept of transparency (la transparence in French) took on its current figurative meaning: it denotes political and economic events and processes that have the characteristics of openness, clarity or comprehensibility. The word itself was first imported from French to German in the 18th Century in the form of the adjective “transparent”, which is itself rooted in the Latin word “transparere”.

People who are entrusted every day with sensitive information and confidential matters must exhibit a high level of professional and moral competence in order to handle these matters conscientiously and effectively. A fiduciary agent or consultant is therefore constantly analyzing the relevance of potentially explosive or highly charged issues and their relevance and significance for the future: a transparent approach in connection with the individual job or assignment which is then reflected in discussions with the client. Asking questions or being critical in a constructive sense are important strategies for finding solutions, and identifying potential or other strategic approaches. Within the company, an appropriate transparency in project management demonstrates a commitment to proceeding in a clearly structured and cost-effective manner. In relationships with clients, transparency characterizes and shapes services, discussions and evaluations.