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I strongly disagree with 'kissing up' to anyone, including your boss. Realize first of all that when you signed on to the position you metaphorically 'kissed up to your boss'. You sent a message validating everything he has required of you in fulfilling his performance expectations. This is where the 'kissing up' ends. If you were true in your interview all you need to do from this point on is to be yourself. If you embark on a pattern of attempts to 'kiss up' you will be perceived as being a phony. You will not command respect from your subordinates or your director. You will slip into a frenzy of wondering how you are being perceived. You were hired for who you are, unless you painted a false picture. So be yourself and work your darnedest.

There is a phrase that should be distinguished from the concept of 'kissing up'. Respecting your director/boss is not the same as 'kissing up'. Regardless of personal philosophies, positions on methodology, or who got his way on a decision when you took the job you agreed to the given idea that you would be in a subordinate roll to your direct boss. He is in a position of authority over you. He may be a total jerk as a person but his position is to be respected. By respecting his position you inherit the right/legitimacy to one day fill that position. By disrespecting the position you lose that legitimacy. Along with respecting the position you must also publicly respect the person in the position. It is impossible to demonstrate respect for the position without being able to publicly respect the person. However, you must not allow public respect to become synonymous with 'kissing up'. Public respect does not mean you have to agree with every decision your boss hands down. For example, you may be challenged to defend a recent decision that you do not agree with. Your answer should be something to the effect, "The decision is a corporate decision. As long as you and I work here we have a mandate to support the policies set forth by this institution. If we disagree with the policies we have a forum of opportunity to contest that policy. However, until it is changed we are required to abide by it. If we can not abide by it we are free to pursue alternative employment."

You can continue your defense accordingly, "Before you get too frustrated let me share a couple of thoughts. First of all I understand your concerns with the decision. I can see the logic of going in a different direction.

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