This is a great topic, I think. I, personally, have been too proud to admit the emotional toll set dynamics can have on the sound or (especially) video department. These are two departments that work in conjunction with Camera dept. and the actors, yet very much behind the scenes to the point where by the time sound dept needs to address an issue, the AD dept may be out of patience.
I've learned that it's really the DP and 1st AD that drive the mood, points of communication and priority of tasks. The power of the DP makes the camera dept ever-present, and the 1st AD is negotiating the flow.
That being said, it's up the sound dept to perform a very steady balancing act. Developing a personal relationship with these two figures is KEY. They'll at least consider you on a personal level when you ask them questions and keep them posted on what's happening in your world and how it's contributing to the process. I say balancing act because you want to be social, but not social. That can be a waste of energy.
Moreover, if these efforts seem futile, the next balancing act is between taking the utmost pride in your job, and adopting the "you get what you pay for" attitude. I give very little attention to the latter mindset, as you're on the project for a long time and that negativity can lower your morale.
We all have different ways of negotiating the job, our role, etc. But the end result is always the same. Learn new tricks of the trade, invest in new toys, sign off on your finished product, collect your check and wait to see your name in the credits.