While it's nice to imagine that you have total control over your career success, but the reality is that your relationship with your boss has a huge impact on your ability to succeed. The stronger your relationship with your boss, the more success you'll have.
Managing your boss is not manipulation, it's about understanding your bosses' strengths, weaknesses, goals, styles, and needs so that you can make them, and yourself, amazingly successful.
Similarly, If your direct reports know how to communicate and manage your expectations, you will achieve better results with your team as well!