I was once on a mobile app project where the app would crash if there was no network connection and the app would attempt make a call to the server.

No one cared. The project manager, the main supervisor who maintained a relationship with the client and the lead developer on the project all said that it was a minor issue compared to actually having the product in the app store.

So then I probably argued for about 3 months with the lead developer before there was finally changes being made to the app that would make it do ANYTHING other than crash if a network connection was established and an attempt to hit a server was made.

This wasn't the first issue I encountered at the company where I had to argue with someone to fix a fundamental issue that was very important in how the application worked.

I also remember getting into an argument with another developer because even though he had the complete documentation to a REST API with complete examples on how to parse data from the documentation, he still managed to incorrectly parse the data that I needed to display data on a graph correctly. What's worse was I mistakenly wasn't thorough enough in the code review I had with him because he was on a very large previous project parsing the same type of information just fine.The deadline over my head wasn't a great influence. I'll admit I failed in that regard but I respected him and expected more from his ability.

Where does being being nice play into this? I've seen upper management insult developers in their face because they didn't like them since day one. Project managers can be just as bad depending.

If you want things to change and get better, you have to go against the grain sometimes. Sometimes that means being mean, but as long as you aren't really doing it to offended or diminish anyone or to boast your own standing or ego and as long as everyone understands that, what's the problem?

You work in the tech industry. How are you going to remain "innovative" if you are constantly worried about being liked by everyone? I'm going to sound brash and like an asshole but, this sounds like a Disney/high school level topic. Don't run around making enemies or giving people valid reasons not to like you but get things done.