When you create your characters and sketch out your plot, you will notice the moments when the events of the plot challenge the values of your protagonist.
It doesn’t really matter where on the alignment your character falls –
– as long as in those moments, their decisions are consistent with who they are and where they want to be.
Characters earn respect by being true to themselves. In an arc, that truth will change, and is shown to change by the character making different decisions in the same situations.
When your protag has a decision to make, do you respect them in the morning?