Bravo. That is reality, harsh but true. In the IT industry in bolehland anyway. Forget about quality education, good grades, technical ability and experience. If you want to become a manager, there's only 2 ways, First is Kiss-Ass as stated. Second would be to be a good dodger, as in most IT companies here, employee turn-over is high, if you stay long enough and dodge all the bullets, even your manager will leave and you will be "rewarded" with his/her place. This process can be expedited if you not only can dodge but deflect the bullets to other competing co-workers or even your own manager.

Of course nothing is absolute, so there are some decent companies that realize that the Peter Principle is to be avoided and staff with exceptional "verbal" skills are not suited for technical or managerial positions.