Excerpt:

Pfeffer's work recommends a few simple steps you can take to increase your power: (1) be visible; (2) emphasize the aspects you're good at; (3) make those in power feel good about themselves; (4) if you must point out a mistake by someone in power, blame the situation or others; and shower those above with flattery.

Bottom line: worry about your relationship with your boss more than you worry about your performance.

If true, it's just more proof that I have no future at BigCo: I hate office politics.