January is designated ‘Vocational Services’ month. [Yes, Henrietta, it used to be October, but let’s not quibble...] Let us reflect on our daily dealings with customers, suppliers, employees, partners - and competitors. “Business is Business”. “Let the buyer beware”. “It’s tough out there”. “The ‘Dog-eat-Dog’ rule applies”. “Sorry, with Artificial Intelligence threatening, the gloves are off”. All too often we hear these expressions. And perhaps we may even have used them once or twice ourselves to justify our actions? Contrast these to the second part of the Object of Rotary, which instructs us to understand and practice
“High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society…”
and you have a perfect contrast to the classical case of the unethical businessman spending an hour at church each Sunday morning…
The Four Way Test gives you step-by-step instructions on how to do this. It might be old fashioned, but it still applies today as much as it did when it was coined by a gentleman named Herbert Taylor, back in 1932. He didn't write it for Rotary, but to change the ethical standards of a company that faced bankruptcy. It was adopted by Rotary in the 1940's when Taylor was an international director of Rotary.
You may proudly display a plaque or a certificate in your office which quotes ‘The Test’. But, make sure that it faces you.