Okay but I thought that this was strong evidence that one level could be significant. It's obviously unacceptable to insult someone who is one level higher than you. Elayne confirms it but laughs at how it should be the least of their problems.
It's also likely that AS 'fall into place'. When a group of 10 get together everyone measures quickly and it's settled within minutes in their own heads. So Liandrin wouldn't need to boss people around unless it became ugly. It's probably easy being Daigian or Nynaeve.
I think for simple decisions even the smallest difference or no strength difference but shorter training and age comes into play. We see that in Covarla's group before Elaida sends someone higher to lead. Covarla ended up in charge even though there wasn't a lot of strength difference between her and Lusonia and at least Valene had the same potential strength as Covarla and likely would have assumed command had she been at he full potential as she had shorter training time than Covarla. Even though it was clear Covarla didn't want to take the responsibility she was stuck with it because of her higher strength. But we don't see anyone following orders or even polite requests unless there is quite a bit of strength difference like when Katerine shows up and starts ordering people around, even Tarna, who is 2 levels stronger than Covarla doesn't throw orders around. But Katerine is 4 levels higher than Tarna and clearly commands the others and has to give permission for Tarna to join her return to TV.