Wow, some thought provocation going on here!
I go back to the title of your post, "Can You act contrary to your values?" I'm thinking that we absolutely can, and do.  And often, it is to serve a purpose that doesn't necessarily serve us.  For instance I can think of many times when I have agreed to do something or be part of something because it was easier to go along with the crowd.  But, in my "advancing" years I have come to know that the more often we do things like that, the further we get away from ourselves, running the risk of getting lost in that crowd. Then it becomes harder, not easier.
As for intentions It is also easier to over-emphasize them because they always sound good. And talking about them feels good too.  Getting results though, takes discipline and focus. That's harder. What makes it easier, I think, is that if our intentions and the ensuing results are well aligned with our core values, then our reward is a great sense of satisfaction.  If not, then well, not so much.

Great topic, Mike.  Thanks!

Gwyn