Given the choice though, between someone who loves their job and someone who simply tolerates it (because they hate being told what the priority is): then most people will choose the former.

Personally I am similar to the parent, I have a strong anti-authoritarian streak and I work hard to curb it; what helps me is trying to maintain an open dialogue with my managers and try to get on board with how they prioritise so that I'm invested in solving the same problems as they are.

Being equals in my own mind helps me curb my anti-authoritarian tendencies.