I don't respect the "authority" of the people "above" me, which also means I have no fucking right to demand that anyone else should defer to me because of rank, status, or ability.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" doesn't mean "defer to certain people so that other people will defer to you."
"As you would have THEM do to you." It's an equalizing statement. Treat everyone with the respect, kindness, & consideration that you expect them to give you.