Leading up or kissing up?

I'm reading the 360 Degree Leader by John Maxwell. He doesn't particularly inpsire me. There's no question he's an expert - I'm not suggesting he isn't. I always learn something when I read one of his books. I've probably read 6 of his books - Developing the Leaders Around You is probably my favorite.
I'm reading the 360 thing for two reasons. #1 it's required reading for work (so it's free!) and #2 I'm teaching a workshop on Leading Up next month and this book is one of only a few that covers the topic well. But, I think my boss raised a good point when he said that Maxwell gives you too many lists; 6 Challenges, 8 Myths, 5 Principles....it's all too much to absorb. What I always come away with are a few great quotes. He is the quote master.

"Leading up" caught my interest a few years ago when I was on staff at a church. It hit me one day that although God was giving me influence with people all around me, the most challenging was definitely the upward influence on the pastors. Let's face it, to get any ministry of significance started and sustained in a church, you must have the full support and buy in from the pastors. Instinctively I knew it, but it wasn't until I was several years into it that it became clear how much of my time was spent on leading up. Once I saw it, then I became more intentional, and more prayerful about it.

It scares me to become too intentional about leading up - afraid I will cross the line to "kissing up." Afterall, I'm fallen flesh just like everyone else and can certainly be blinded to my own sinful motives at times.
So how do you become intentional about leading up without kissing up?