I think the main point of this commandment is that people in higher positions are being encouraged to open their minds to those in lower positions who have more

I think the main point of this commandment is that people in higher positions are being encouraged to open their minds to those in lower positions who have more relevant knowledge. Wise team leads and managers do not point to their job title and inveigh "Respect mah authority!" Of course, if you are the person with greater knowledge but a lesser position, and you have bosses that are not as wise as you would prefer, then there is an art to deploying that knowledge and ensuring that the right thing gets done while allowing others to save face. This sort of diplomacy isn't the kind of skill that most developers typically have -- or even have the slightest interest in learning -- but it's an awfully useful skill to cultivate, whether you're dealing with corporate bureaucracy or cranky customers.