> The way they manipulate might be cleverly disguised as being helpful or outwardly positive.

I am not trying to play politics though. I genuinely want to help. I am not even good at communicating.

:/

As someone who is trying to be positive, charming, and friendly in the professional world because that's the type of work environment I want to be in, how can I do that without sending red flags to my coworkers/direct reports? What can I do in order to instill a culture of grace and gratitude without coming across as playing politics?

This type of cynicism is the politics though.