4-Way Test

The 4-Way Test:

Rotarians have been concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives since the early days of the organization. In 1932, Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) created The Four-Way Test when he was asked to lead a company that was on the verge of bankruptcy.

This concise test consisting of 24 words became a guide for employees to follow in their business and professional lives, encompassing sales, production, advertising, and all relationships with dealers and customers. The company’s survival is attributed to this simple philosophy.

The Four-Way Test, adopted by Rotary in 1943, has been translated into over a hundred languages and published in thousands of forms. It poses 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 GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?