There were several qualities or ideals that the Norse believed were important. If a person embodied these in their mind, they would consider that person a drengr - a good person of repute. Since a person's reputation was considered very important, there was considerable pressure to live up to them, and significant drawbacks if they didn't.
From Hurstwic:
Snorri Sturluson wrote, “Valiant men who exert a good influence are called drengr.” A drengr possessed bravery, nobility, magnanimity, a sense of fair play, respect for others, the strength to do what is right, and a sense of personal honor. Physical bravery was taken for granted. More important was self-control. A drengr showed equanimity in the face of danger, not because of insensitivity or stupidity, but because the danger and the possible risk to life and limb was unimportant compared to the need to maintain self-respect and the respect of the community. There was a practical side to such imperturbability, because not only was it unmanly to show concern or fear in the face of danger, but also useless.