“Did you hear the horrible thing Ashley did at work yesterday?”
“Can you believe how your mother treats me?”
“Joe Smith is hiding a DUI from voters!”
Recently, our mailbox has been stuffed with postcards and flyers informing us of the terrible voting records, opinions, and personal sins of candidates running for office. If you believed everything that was printed or on television, you would think every candidate was morally bankrupt, crooked, and unfit to lead anyone. But far too often, the same behavior happens at the office. Whether it’s water cooler chatter or idle conference room talk before a meeting, far too often foolish talk rears its ugly head. Even family members, neighbors, and our friends aren’t immune.
We can do better.
Recently, I found a coin that was given to me after I spoke for a Rotary Club as I was starting my professional speaking career many years ago. The coin features a Rotary guiding principle called the Four-Way Test.
The Four-Way Test
· Is it the TRUTH?
· Is it FAIR to all concerned?
· Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
· Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
It’s unlikely that those running for political office will change their negativity or rumor spreading, but you and I can. We can adopt the Four-Way Test in our professional and personal lives and refuse to participate in conversations that are degrading, false, and unkind.
At the ballot box, in the office break room or at our kitchen table, gossip, lies, and smear campaigns are never appropriate.
Imagine a workplace without this type of negativity. Imagine the productivity changes, the increases in internal communication, the higher levels of service provided to customers or clients, the reduction in employee turnover, the cost savings, the reduction in conflicts and mental health related issues, and many other benefits that would be realized simply by communicating with kindness, empathy, and positivity.
By measuring our words against the Four-Way Test, we can foster more respectful and constructive conversations, whether in politics, personal relationships, or the workplace. This approach encourages integrity, fairness, and positivity, which can help create a more trustworthy and supportive personal and professional community.
And that’s no lie!
