The Importance of Values in Professional Advancement

What does a Dover sole have to do with your career advancement? The answer lies in a simple yet profound life principle that can guide you through your professional journey.

In 2016, a former Israeli Prime minister had a daily routine that set him apart. Every day at 4 A.M., while his colleagues were still in bed, he was already on the highway. His office at the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem was south of his home, but each day, he headed north, to Haifa. There, his sick, elderly father whom he cared for was waiting. The minister bathed him, dressed him, and gave him breakfast.

At that time, the minister had already made significant strides in his career. He had served as a commander in an elite military unit, became a successful entrepreneur with two exits, and was a former Minister of the Economy. Yet, despite his professional accomplishments, he never allowed his career to prevent him from dedicating time each morning to what truly mattered: his values and family responsibilities. This daily ritual of caring for his father was not just an act of kindness but a reflection of a deeper principle that protected him as he advanced professionally.

The Kosher Fish

In Jewish tradition, the Dover sole, like all kosher fish, symbolizes the importance of values and advancement. The Torah sets forth specific criteria for fish to be considered kosher:

סימני דגים מפורשים בתורה כל שיש לו סנפיר וקשקשת טהור  

The signs of fish are explicit in the Torah: All that have fins and scales are kosher. And fins, it is what it swims with. And scales, they are hardened skins on it (Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 83).

For fish to be kosher, they must have both fins and scales. Fins enable the fish to move forward, symbolizing progress and advancement in life. However, advancement alone is not enough. The fish must also have scales, which protect it, symbolizing the values that safeguard us as we advance.

The symbolism here is powerful. Fins without scales are like unbridled ambition without ethics—driving us forward without any moral compass. On the other hand, scales without fins represent a life overly guarded by values and stagnant, unable to progress. The Torah teaches us that both progress and values are necessary. To be truly « kosher, » one must advance in life while being protected by values.  We must live with integrity, balancing personal advancement with ethical conduct.

Joseph’s Rise in Egypt

A biblical story that embodies this principle is the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. Joseph’s journey to power was long and marked by both adversity and unwavering commitment to his values. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph found himself in Egypt, far from his homeland and the life he once knew. Despite this, he remained steadfast in his principles. As a servant in Potiphar’s house, Joseph’s diligence and integrity quickly earned him the trust of his master. However, his values were put to the test when Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him. Despite the risk to his own position and safety, Joseph refused, declaring, « How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against G-d? » (Genesis 39:9). His refusal led to false accusations and his subsequent imprisonment, a seemingly devastating setback.

In prison, Joseph continued to demonstrate his strength of character. During this time, he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. When Pharaoh himself had troubling dreams that none could interpret, the cupbearer recalled Joseph’s remarkable abilities. He was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, and foretold seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and discernment, Pharaoh appointed him as second-in-command over all of Egypt.

Joseph’s rise to power was not just a result of his capabilities but also a testament to his unwavering commitment to his values. Despite betrayal, enslavement, and imprisonment, he remained true to his principles, which ultimately opened the door to his success. For example, when Potifar’s wife tried to seduce him, he remained loyal to his principles, eluded her advances, and did not succumb to her charms. His story illustrates how integrity, represented by the ‘scales,’ safeguarded him even as he used his ‘fins’—his talents and ambition—to navigate the challenges of life. Once in power, Joseph used his position to not only secure Egypt’s future but to save his family and the entire region from famine, showing that true advancement is about aligning personal success with a higher purpose.

Joseph’s story teaches us that true advancement in life is not just about moving forward; it’s about doing so in a way that is aligned with our deepest values. Like the kosher fish, you need fins and scales to advance and be protected by your values in order to navigate the waters of life successfully.

Scott Galloway’s Balancing Act

NYU professor and entrepreneur Scott Galloway exemplifies the principle of advancing with values. Galloway is a man of many achievements—he founded and sold multiple companies, served on the boards of well-known firms, and led TED Talks. However, in the midst of his career, Galloway faced a life-changing moment when his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Instead of continuing to focus solely on his career, he made the conscious decision to put his professional life on hold to care for her during her final months. Galloway understood that, at that moment, his values needed to take precedence over his career.

One of the profound lessons Galloway learned during this time was that « where you die, and who is around you at the end is a strong signal of your success or failure in life. » Even if you are successful in business and make millions, you are only truly successful if you build meaningful relationships and make a positive impact on those around you.

Galloway’s story reinforces the idea that true advancement is not just about professional success but about living a life aligned with your values. His decision to prioritize his mother during her final days is a testament to the importance of scales—values that protected him and guided his decisions.

The lesson here is clear: to succeed in life, we must strive to advance, but not at the expense of our values. This balance between ambition and integrity is what allows us to leave a positive legacy and to find true fulfillment.

Implementing the Mitzvah of Fins and Scales in Your Own Life

How can you implement this mitzvah of advancing in life while upholding your values on a daily basis? The answer lies in creating habits that reinforce both your ambition and your integrity.

For instance, you can maintain a family routine no matter how busy you are, ensuring that your relationships are not sacrificed for your career. You can make time to interact with friends just as you do with clients, recognizing that personal connections are just as important as professional ones. Finally, you can dedicate as much time to activities that leave a positive mark on the world as you do to social media or other less impactful pursuits. By doing these things, you will be protected by your values even as you advance toward your goals. Like the kosher fish, you will have both fins to propel you forward and scales to safeguard your integrity.

— Lionel Benizri —