easy mah.... play the politic game, play to last.... in your opinion, which of the above asses will stay with the company longer? is it the manager or director? cos if u intend to stay with the company, you know who you'll end up with.... so that's the perky little ass that u have to kiss. its that simple.

one thing about backstabbing: what goes around comes around. Especially when backstabbing a boss... or a superior, make sure the reward is a promotion to a position of at least his/her level.... cos you'll never know when he's gonna get back at u.

dude... suck it in and ride it out... at least that's what most ppl do... whichever direction the wind changes u'll still get ur salary, if he stays, the most harm the manager can do is give u smaller increment... if he goes, you'll have a new ass to kiss... if so many managers already left, perhaps the problem is not the managerial level... perhaps the director is a fussy ass that needs super extra smooching... but that's not up to u. just work yourself out.

or just check out and try ur luck elsewhere... chances are it might just be as bad.