respect (someone or something) as (something)
To have a feeling of deferential admiration, esteem, or appreciation for someone or something as a particular kind of person or thing. I really respect him as an author, but he just an insufferable jerk in person. You can't help but respect the film as a technical achievement, with effects that are far more impressive than anything we've ever witnessed before.
respect someone as something
to admire someone as something. I respect you as a friend and supervisor. We respected them all as colleagues and coworkers.