Treating people with respect is a function of who you are and not who the other person is. Respecting people shows that you are a better human and it is also the right thing to do. The truth is that there is nothing to gain by being disrespectful to people, but there is everything to gain by showing respect. One thing to also know is that respect should not be shown to just a selected few - like your bosses, but it should be shown to all. It does not take anything from you by respecting others. As you respect your bosses, also respect your subordinates, because that is what shows who you are.
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If you only respect the people that are higher than you in status (your bosses, superordinates, etc) but you are disrespectful and cruel to the people under you (like your gate man, gardener, cook, driver, etc), then you are not respectful in the first place. It is worthy to note that respecting people does not reduce your social status, but it is an evidence of humility and a show of humanity. On the other hand, disrespecting people is an expression of pride. There is a popular adage in the Southwestern part of Nigeria (among the Yorubas) that says:
Bowing down to greet someone does make your height to reduce
The above does not talk about physical bowing down nor reduction of physical height, it only talks about the fact that when you respect someone, it does not reduce your self-worth. You will be surprised to know that there are some places that your good looks and other factors may not get you into, but your respect can. Also, there are some favours that can be denied someone because of their rudeness and lack of respect.
A story was told of a young graduate that finished from the university as the best in the entire school with a very fine first class degree. She submitted her curriculum vitae in a very reputable accounting firm that she had always dreamt of. A few days later, she was sent an invitation for an interview and that had been what she had hoped for since she finished from school. On the day of the interview, she entered bus from her bus-stop going to the location of the company. However, on the way, a man waved down the bus and entered. The man's car had broken down on the way, so he had to look for an alternative to get to the office because he had something important to do at the office.
When the man enter, there was no seat again left, and because it was the last bus going there, he had to manage the attachment area. But, the lady refused to shift well for him. She even told him that she had been in the bus before he came in, so he should not inconvenience her. While trying to make himself comfortable, the man mistakenly stepped a bit on the shoe of the young lady. The lady shouted at the man with a very cruel tone. Even when the man offered to use his handkerchief to clean the dirt on the shoe, she would not still stop complaining and nagging disrespectfully.
The man finally got to his location and asked the driver to stop, at least thankfully, to escape the attitude of the young lady. Coincidentally, the young lady also dropped in the same location. The man, minding his business, was entering into the company. The young lady also entered the company. At first, the young lady thought, well, the man might also be for the interview but she was confident that the company would take her instead of the guy because of her academic prowess. However, things turned out differently when everyone was greeting him "good morning sir." It turned out that the man is the CEO of the company and also the chief panelist of the interview.
Well, you already know how it went; that was how the lady lost the job even before the interview. Imagine if she had shown a little act of respect and kindness, the interview would have been a walkover for her because it would have given her an edge. You see, what her academics qualified her for, her character and attitude disqualified her. I guess the incidence may have thought her a valuable lesson but in a hard way.
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Even if someone does not agree with your point of view, it is not an excuse to disrespect them. The truth is that there is always a better way to disagree with someone without disrespecting them. In life, you may not know what the future holds for someone else, and your action of today towards them may go a long way to determine their relationship with you tomorrow. Someone does not have to be your friend before you respect them, respect should be to all. Finally, if you want a reciprocity of respect, then you should show respect first.
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