Answer:
People who dislike company politics usually don't like back-stabbing, taking credit for others' work, or getting by on personality rather than performance. I agree, that's no way to build a $100,000+ career.
In the best sense, playing politics means developing good "people skills." It means contributing more than expected, being diplomatic, collaborating and co-operating, and conducting a low-key public relations campaign for yourself.
Moving from $35,000 to $100,000+ requires increasingly sophisticated political (people) skills. To move up the ladder, you'll need to:
1. Keep your eyes and ears open
2. Improve communications with others at all levels
3. Listen more
4. Resolve interpersonal disputes quickly
5. Compromise
6. Be willing to admit you're wrong
7. Make others--especially your boss-look good
8. Take leadership roles both internally and externally
9. Be assertive without being abrasive
10. Build networks
11. Make friends, not enemies, and most of all,
12. Put the corporate mission and agenda ahead of your own.
In short, you'll need to be very "people-smart." Playing politics isn't necessarily bad. In fact, it's a key survival skill. Many good corporate politicians are both likeable and effective. That's why they rise to the top. Those who refuse to play politics may accomplish a lot, but they seldom last long or reach the $100,000+ level, because they don't "fit in."
