Values-Based Action, Team Culture, and When to Seek More Support

Values-based action is a core ACT skill. A value is a direction for behaviour rather than a finish line. In optical practice, values include dignity, kindness, safety, fairness, honesty, respect, patience, teamwork and advocacy. When pressure rises, values guide what staff do next even if emotions are strong or conditions are imperfect.

Values need backing from a healthy team culture. Staff should not be expected to manage unsafe workloads, poor equipment, bullying or repeated missed breaks with personal coping strategies alone. ACT skills complement good supervision, safe systems, clear escalation routes and supportive leadership.

Turning values into small actions

• Dignity: slow your pace and explain what you are doing while supporting a patient or customer.
• Safety: pause before rushing, ask for help with safe dispensing and accurate records, and report hazards.
• Teamwork: name pressure early and ask for practical support instead of silently struggling.
• Honesty: document concerns accurately and raise patterns that affect service quality.

Clinical role example

When ACT skills are not enough

Values-based action is most useful when it is practical: the next sentence, the next pause, the next safe step, or the next concern raised.