You can have some psychological safety and should be able to have a discussion without a lot of anxiety. However, both parties need to cognizant of the effect o

You can have some psychological safety and should be able to have a discussion without a lot of anxiety. However, both parties need to cognizant of the effect of the context and circumstances on the interaction. You can't accept much of anything in employment at face value. It's a very politically-charged environment and it is certainly wise to refrain from getting too comfortable around your superiors (and other colleagues, for that matter). Politics is everywhere people are (politics is the management or attempted management of others' perceptions and opinions). It becomes a big deal as soon as you get even one rung up the ladder; if you're an in-demand skilled professional, you might be able to get away being more or less politically ignorant up until you get one report. At that point, it's unavoidable. People who are not in high demand spend their entire careers playing political games, because it's the only way to survive, let alone advance. Employment is a popularity contest. If you want to make it as an employee, you have to be winning it.