Pfarrjam,

You sound like the kind of leader I would want to work for. You also sound very lucky, too. I have both seen and been the target of retaliation by management that didn't take kindly to such challenging. I have seen bogus cases built against good people. I have seen projects and departments jeopardized or sunk because management felt the need to root out 'malcontent' leaders such as yourself. One has to be willing to fall on the sword if one is going to challenge management. That, and/or be ready to fight as dirty as they do to protect one's self.