"When you're going to consider spending the rest of your life with someone, you need to have some pretty transparent conversations," Viall tells PEOPLE

Nick Viall has nothing to hide.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE ahead of Monday’s season premiere of the The Bachelor, the star reveals why he’s a “big believer” in being open, especially when it comes to the ladies on the show — past and present.

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“I’m a big believer in transparency in any type of a relationship and in life,” he says.

“There are things I like to keep personal but at the same time, I think one theme you’ll see throughout [the show], is that I wanted all the women to feel incredibly comfortable and empowered to ask me whatever they wanted to ask me — knowing that I would give them an honest answer and that it would be a two-way street,” the Bachelor explained.

When it comes to being candid, Viall has been very vocal about his distaste for how things were handled with his ex and former Bachelorette, Andi Dorfman, 29.

After she left the Wisconsin native in shock by choosing Josh Murray‘s proposal over his in season 10, Viall revealed on national television that the pair had sex in the Fantasy Suite — all because he felt Dorfman wasn’t honest with him from the start.

Image zoom ABC/Barbara Zanon

After learning from other’s mistakes, Viall says he “encouraged” openness and honesty throughout his time as the leading man.

“I wanted every relationship to feel like a mutual relationship and that we were on the same playing field and that we were both just as empowered as the other person,” he says. “I wanted to have an authentic relationship and that was something that was very important to me throughout the entire season.”

• For more on Nick and this season of The Bachelor, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

“When you’re going to consider spending the rest of your life with someone, you need to have some pretty transparent conversations,” Vaill adds. “If you’re taking it seriously you have to be willing to have those conversations and be open about it. You can’t have a watered down version of the real world, especially if you’re considering proposing.”

RELATED VIDEO: Everything Nick Viall Has Said About Finding – and Keeping – Love in the Spotlight

Viall has been very open about his past relationships, and doesn’t hold back, especially when it comes to sex talk.

During his time as a contestant on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season 11, he found himself getting intimate again with the leading lady, but this time he didn’t have to reveal much — cameras were rolling and mics were on — but he didn’t stay mum for long.

“For better or worse, I say what I’m thinking or say what other people are thinking and might be afraid to say,” he admits. “I think you can take things seriously and still have fun. I think that offers a more realistic setting.”

Image zoom Rick Rowell/ABC via Getty Images

One thing is for sure, the 36-year-old will be tuning in come Monday to see how his “transparency” with a new batch of girls unfolds.

“I’m definitely going to watch it,” he said. “I watched it even when things weren’t so good. If I can endure Andi’s season and Kaitlyn’s season, I think I can endure this.”

The Bachelor premieres Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.