KC, my fathers advice was one hand for your boss and one hand for yourself and as I close in on 75 it holds true now as it did then, as far as politics go, unless you can put enough effort into being a master you might as well put the effort into work there is after all a slim chance of being recognized for your efforts. There is of course several terms for the blind obedience types, none of that are flattering but what the hell.
Bill the demon.