OP-I believe you're like one generation below me, so take this for what it's worth.
About 10 years ago I learned a hard lesson. Conforming when it's best. This means, you might be a man of prinicples and morals, and "ass kissing" or "sucking up" seems like the opposite of your nature, you might should do it slightly.
People walk over people, and I am sure there are people at your work that would rather do 80% work, and 50% ass kissing to get ahead, and they will compared to the guy who does 98% work but never ass kisses.