There is little doubt that our culture was massively shaken in 2020 by the pandemic.  Consider further the chaos and political upheaval that divided our country in the prior five years, and it easy to understand all the mistrust and intolerance that so many Americans have moving into 2021.  Add to that the speed at which social media makes everyone an informed expert on anything instantaneously, and we have kind of a rabbit hole decline going on.  One way to take the first step toward fixing things is rebuilding the one-on-one respect we have always had for our neighbors and countrymen.

Faced with chaos and upheaval of the same magnitude, but different causes, back in 1932 during the Great Depression, a gentleman named Herbert J. Taylor was President of the Club Aluminum Company was facing bankruptcy.  During a moment of exasperation and clarity, he had an insight for a possible solution.  He thought that if he could get his employees to begin to recalibrate their moral, social and economic compasses, a renewed trust could help the company at least stay alive a bit longer.  Taylor created the 24-word, Four Way Test to accomplish that.  Below is a copy of a flyer-form version of the test.

ROTARY 4-WAY TEST

In 1932, Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created The Four-Way Test. The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians re-cite it at club meetings:

The test, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say or do

            Is it the TRUTH?

            Is it FAIR to all concerned?

            Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

            Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

I was a member of Rotary for many years and was always amazed at how actually thinking for a split second when you’re in an uncomfortable position, and rapidly looking at it from the perspective of those four tests, can provide at least a moral base and compass to proceed figuring it out.

So what?  I’m curious, what is your take on anything from history such as the Four-Way Test having relevance to individuals in today’s environment?  I still think in that paradigm and it still provides an effective, quick filter for making decisions.  Think about the test and let us know what you think.

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