I hate networking and don't play politics well, but you can take advantage of strong social networks just by being nice to people and showing interest in them.

I hate networking and don't play politics well, but you can take advantage of strong social networks just by being nice to people and showing interest in them. My advice is to not worry so much about status and influence, but just go around making more of an effort to connect to people. It doesn't have to be Machiavellian -- that just sounds exhausting. One caveat -- you DO have to know how to stand your ground, and self advertise a little. If you do well, make sure that everyone knows, and if someone tries to make you look bad, calmly assert the facts. But that's pretty much it. That will get you pretty far unless your goal is to climb to the top of the ladder.