Very true Sandee. School and work is built on hierarchies of authority and submission, of bosses and followers. When you step out of your established "role" or rung on the ladder, you upset people's expectations and illicit negative reactions. Also, your bosses probably have big egos and know little about self-development or dropping their egos. If your goal is to move up the ladder, show leadership to everyone else, but don't upstage your boss right in front of him.
Generally, something that can work well in any situation, with anyone, is to be GRATEFUL or APPRECIATIVE of your boss's/co-workers input. Even if you don't need it. Give them the impression that you are a hard worker/smart/etc and are even BETTER becasue of their feedback. Think, "Boss/professor, I just finished xyz and thought it went really well. What do you think could make it even better or is there anything you would have done differently with your experience?" Not in a kiss-ass way, but more investigative. It forces them to respond positively. I don't have opportunites to use this approach often, but I find it is typically better than being cut-throat, as it makes others admire you rather than get jealous/competitve.
