Leaders naturally reward, promote, and give responsibility to those team members who make their lives easier. Leaders most appreciate colleagues who deliver results, fulfill their commitments, collaborate with peers, solve problems, anticipate issues, and carry the team flag.
I thought a lot about what type of leader does this (i.e., is a sucker for those who game managing up). Two things came up from the leaders I've reported to or interacted with: 1) They themselves are playing the "Kissing Up" game to their leaders. They tend to go through the motions in their job, only doing enough to get buy and really turning on the charm when those in power are watching; and 2) They Over Delegate: They have solid teams underneath them doing the grunt work with little or no recognition. They take the credit when things go well and assign blame to the team when it doesn't. Instead of being jealous of the attention a team member is receiving for 'kissing up' to the leader, I'd recommend spending time moving to another team/another leader.
I thought a lot about what type of leader does this (i.e., is a sucker for those who game managing up). Two things came up from the leaders I've reported to or interacted with: 1) They themselves are playing the "Kissing Up" game to their leaders. They tend to go through the motions in their job, only doing enough to get buy and really turning on the charm when those in power are watching; and 2) They Over Delegate: They have solid teams underneath them doing the grunt work with little or no recognition. They take the credit when things go well and assign blame to the team when it doesn't. Instead of being jealous of the attention a team member is receiving for 'kissing up' to the leader, I'd recommend spending time moving to another team/another leader.