knight (nīt)
–noun
A defender, champion, or zealous upholder of a cause or principle.
A police officer wears a shield on the left side of their uniform for a reason. The strong side, predominantly your right hand, is for your weapon. The left side carries the symbol of the knights of old, the protectors of ancient society. The shield represents the modern commitment that law enforcement officers have made to “serve and protect.” Police officers are modern knights, going to work each day with weapons and armor with a noble cause to protect our society and ensure our welfare. That is the culture that has helped shape my perspective, so these modern knights are my primary intended audience, but the definition does not end there.
It is character that makes a knight, not vocation. Character founded on sound principles and the pursuit of a purpose that matters makes you a knight at home as a parent, at work, and in the world. John Maxwell describes the difference between emotion-driven people and character-driven people. Being driven by character is what makes a modern knight.
Character-driven people…
- Do right, then feel good.
- Are commitment driven.
- Make principle-based decisions.
- Let action control attitude.
- Believe it, then see it.
- Create momentum.
- Ask, “What are my responsibilities?
- Continue when problems arise.
- Are steady.
- Are leaders.
Emotion-driven people…
- Feel good, then do right.
- Are convenience-driven.
- Make popular decisions.
- Let attitude control action.
- See it, then believe it.
- Wait for momentum.
- Ask, “What are my rights?”
- Quit when problems arise.
- Are moody.
- Are followers.