Four Way Test

The Four Way Test of the things we Think, Say or Do:

First, Is it the TRUTH?

Second, Is it FAIR to ALL Concerned?

Third, Will it Build GOODWILL and Better Friendships?

Fourth, Will it be BENEFICIAL to ALL Concerned?

HISTORY

"The 4-Way Test" is used by more than one million people worldwide.  This international chain reaction began in 1932.   Herbert J. Taylor had just become president of Club Aluminum Products Company in Chicago, Illinois.  The company employed 250 people, was bankrupt -- over $400,000 in debt (equal to about $4.3 million today), and the country was in the midst of what is now known as The Great Depression.

     Mr. Taylor was a Christian who believed that in right there is might.  He believed that ethical conduct played and important role in relationships and felt that if the company's leadership and its employees were encouraged to think right, they would act right.  What was needed was some sort of ethical code or yardstick which they could easily memorize and apply to what they thought, said or did in relationships with co-workers, vendors, and especially clients and customers.

     In answer to a prayer one evening, came "The 4-Way Test."  He tried it out himself for sixty days and found it very enlightening.  Quite a few of the company's current business practices did not seem to stand-up under the Test's scrutiny.  After sixty days, Mr. Taylor, himself a Methodist, discussed it with four of his department heads, by faith, a Christian Scientist, a Roman Catholic, and Orthodox Jew and a Presbyterian.  He asked if the Test was contrary to anything in their faith.  They answer from each was "no."  They agreed to memorize and use the Test in their business relationships.  

     Soon the company adopted it as its official policy for business conduct.  He had the Test copyrighted.   Five years later the company paid off the last of the $400,000 debt with interest and distributed over a million dollars in dividends to stockholders, in spite of the continuing Great Depression.  

     In the early 1940s, The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary International and became a vital part of its Vocational Service Programs.  In 1954-1955, Mr. Taylor served as president of Rotary International.  This was Rotary's 50th Anniversary year and Mr. Taylor was featured on the cover of Newsweek's February 28, 1955 issue.

     He and his wife, Gloria, traveled around the world that year, one trip involved 25,000 miles of airplane travel to 38 countries.

     In 1959, Mr. Taylor founded a non-profit organization, The 4-Way Test Association, Inc. to promote and assist in spreading The 4-Way Test's influence within the larger busiiness community.  In line with this purpose, few of The 4-Way Test Associations materials carry any logo except that of The 4-Way Test.  

    Mr. Taylor died in 1978, but his legacy of The 4-Way Test continues to spread its influence -- to facilitate people building effective channels of communication with each other. 

This history taken from The 4-Way Test Association's website.  Visit The 4-Way Test Association at www.4waytest.org for additional history, current projects and to purchase items from its online store.