I have learned many valuable lessons in life (usually the hard way). What i will say from moving from the very bottom of a somewhat large structured company to a couple of notches below the top.
Politics (for me) has done nothing! Many hours of debates, frustration and or arguements seem to always end the same way! By proving nothing more that your beliefs are your beliefs!
I think if the company i work for, could of seen forehand, that i wouldn't be so politically involved, i would most likely not have moved up as i have! I don't go drinking with the president, i don't go on paid golfing trips with the vise-president the company paid get-aways,the private and selective internal company parties and politics that go along with it. (for ass kissers it helps make their job feel secure)
for me, I go to work to work and do me best to make the stockholders happy.
when i go home, i leave work at work and enjoy my family and my hobbies. (just my 2$ worth)
Life is your destiny- you should choose!