4-Way Test
From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with
promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the
world’s most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The
Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who
later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company
that was facing bankruptcy.
This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional
lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations
with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to
this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has
been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands
of ways. It asks the following four questions:
“Of the things we think, say or do:
- 1. is it the truth?
- 2. Is it fair to all concerned?
- 3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
- 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
