History of The Four-Way Test
Herbert J. Taylor, a Chicago Rotarian and president of Rotary International conceived the Four-Way Test. In 1932, the creditors of the company assigned Taylor the task of rescuing an all-but-bankrupt aluminum cookware company.
Looking at the situation of the company and its competitors, Taylor decided that the only avenue in which the company could compete with them was in the character, dependability, and service-mindedness of company personnel. He felt the company needed a simple measuring stick of ethics, which everyone in the company could use.
In July, 1932, after careful consideration, Taylor penned, “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say, or do” as follows:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
4. Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
After a long, faithful, constant effort to live up to The Four-Way Test, he decided to apply the test company-wide. The employees of the company were asked to memorize the test and apply it in every facet of company operations, from advertising to dealing with its customers and creditors, to relations with its own employees. Before an employee of the company could proceed on any course of action, the honest answer to all four questions had to be, “yes.”
The result is a legend of Rotary. Slowly but surely, the company began to succeed and, within twenty years had become very successful and profitable.
In January 1943, Rotary decided to make The Four-Way Test a part of the Vocational Service ideal and, in 1954, Taylor turned over all rights to the test to Rotary.
Rotarians have always shown a deep interest in young people, the future of the world. Since 1952 there have been a number of Rotary programs to introduce The Four-Way Test to schoolchildren.
