Professional ethics and human values, “Work Ethics,” are the principles you apply to yourself and take with you to the job.

One good example of principles that can lead to success and happiness is the Boy Scout law.

A Boy Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, & Reverent.

These are the principles of the law but are also rooted in the values, sometimes called standards, that govern the behavior of a man or woman and all of their actions. The main difference between values and principles is that principles are based on a person's values, and a particular value may have several principles tied to it. Thus, it is values that act as the foundation for principles.

Start with good values. If your values and principles don’t fit into an organization, move on. Albert Einstein said: Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. Tolstoy suggested that who we are is the essence of life. Finding meaning is no small task. Tolstoy’s and Einstein’s thoughts seem to point to the fact that our values determine what kind of success we will have and if it will bring us happiness.