The thing to remember is you will only ever change things from higher ranks and the higher the rank the more political things become.
If you really want to make a difference, you will have to say the things that they want to hear to some extent, but that doesn't mean sacrificing your ideals. You do not have to treat the posties any differently and if you disagree with a policy you should suggest an alternative and explain the benefits, but it won't help going off half cocked. It always helps if you make people believe it was their idea. Do not attack their ideas, try to manipulate your ideas as a development of their ideas then they will think it is all part of their idea.
At the end of the day, it is not about self engraciating, it is about doing what is right and getting the results you want.
I used to have similar issues when I was in management positions. As I see it management should be more of a caring nurturing role, like parenting. I never saw myself as being above anyone, if anything I felt below them, they did the work and I did my best to support, encourage and affirm what they did. If mistakes were made, I would help enable them to straighten things out for themselves, it empowers them to solve problems in the future and stops them feeling hesitant about making the same mistake again. It is important that people feel proud about what they do otherwise they will take no care about their work. Praise and encouragement helps pride, yet most management only ever do the opposite, how do they honestly think treading down their employees is going to help them get the most of them.
Crazy world.
