Agreed, though I've come to learn that this isn't always going to happen. While you can certainly control what company you work for, you can't always control who you're going to have as a boss. And my old boss's behavior seems, to me, to be more the rule than the exception.

My strategy these days is to focus a considerable amount of effort on foolproofing my boss's ability to champion me. Regular, systemized communication prevents him from ever not knowing what I'm working on. Communication timed in advance of big "alignment" meetings, and other executive functions, ensures that I will be top of mind when he has occasion to discuss employees with other leaders. And so forth.

Ideally, yes, a boss should be fighting for his best employees. And if you're pretty sure you're one of his best employees, you should be giving him the ammunition he needs for the fight.

Perhaps because the said employee is thriving despite his manager's leadership.