Implications for leadership stemming from any human value, feeling or behavior are innumerable. So it is with the concept of respect. Knowing, or perhaps, tending to believe there may be seven near-synonyms and twelve distinguishable objects of respect can have an effect on how one approaches theory development, research, teaching and practice in the field of leadership. It is important to move the concept of respect toward a theory of respect. This will allow for greater understanding of why it is so intensely important to every person in every aspect of their lives.