We are not as transparent as we Imagine
- Nicola Arnese
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
The Cognitive Trap of the Illusion of Transparency
Most of us believe our emotions, intentions, and internal states are perceptible to others—especially in moments of stress, disagreement, or discomfort.
They are not.
This misplaced certainty has a name: the illusion of transparency. It’s a well-documented psychological bias that leads us to overestimate how clearly our inner world is visible to those around us.
A Familiar Scenario
Consider this: In a leadership meeting, a new strategic direction is proposed. One executive silently disagrees. They fold their arms, glance away, and withdraw from the discussion. To them, their disapproval is unmistakable.
Later, the presenter thanks them for their support.
What just happened?
This is the illusion of transparency at work—the assumption that subtle cues are enough to communicate our thoughts. The reality is simpler and harsher: unless we voice our perspective, it often remains invisible.
The Mechanics of the Bias
We experience our inner world with intensity. When we feel nervous, exhausted, or disengaged, it dominates our perception. We assume these feelings are mirrored on our faces, evident in our gestures, or somehow transmitted in silence.
But others aren’t tuned into our inner frequency. They see far less than we imagine.
Psychologists Gilovich, Savitsky, and Medvec (1998) demonstrated this through a series of experiments. In one, participants instructed to lie believed their dishonesty was obvious. Observers, however, detected the lie only 25% of the time barely above chance.
We are not as legible as we think. The gap between what we feel and what others perceive is wider than we realise.
Why It Matters
The illusion of transparency has real-world consequences.
In teams, silence is mistaken for agreement.
In relationships, stress goes unnoticed.
In leadership, intentions are misread or misunderstood.
In conflict, signals are missed, and small issues grow into large ones.
We overestimate how expressive we are. We underestimate how easily we are misunderstood. And as a result, we often fail to communicate at the very moment when clarity is most needed.
Practical Correctives
Here are five ways to counteract the illusion of transparency in everyday interactions:
Articulate your internal state: Don’t assume others can see what you’re feeling. Say it, simply and calmly:“I’m not fully convinced yet.” or “I’m feeling uncertain about this direction.”
Verify understanding: After sharing something important, pause and ask:“How does that sound to you?” or “What are you taking away from this?”
Practice presence over performance: In high-stakes moments, focus less on how you appear and more on the clarity of your message.
Replace assumptions with inquiry: If someone seems fine, or upset, or distant—ask. They may be waiting for someone to notice.
Create explicit norms around communication: In teams, make it safe to express doubt, hesitation, or disagreement—out loud. Silence should not be the default signal.
Our internal state is not a message unless we make it one. Our feelings are not visible unless you give them shape in language. We all live behind opaque walls. Sometimes, all it takes is a small sentence to build a window.