I have discussed the need to envision safety as a value rather than a priority before. Priorities shift depending on current needs and contingencies: the number one priority today might not be so tomorrow. Many dynamic factors will move other problems, issues, goals, or tasks to the top of the demand hierarchy. Change is a constant. And leading change or adjusting to it requires flexibility and strategic modification of priorities.
Values are more constant than priorities. For individuals, values represent profound internal beliefs or attitudes that establish a context from which we evaluate past behavior and plan future behavior. Likewise, the values of an organization are defined in its mission statement and provide direction for short- and long-term action plans. Given this definition, it’s obvious why it’s better to talk about safety as a value than a priority. Priorities are compromised to make way for other priorities. Values are rarely compromised. They serve as the standard against which we judge the appropriateness of our behaviors. When our actions are inconsistent with our values, we willingly make appropriate adjustments to align behavior with value.