Frog and saucepan CC BY 2.0
One seldom gets in hot water for what is said.
The problem is usually how it is said.
People skills are key measurements and predictors of success and failure.
Many highly skilled and talented people are either passed over for promotion or terminated annually.
It is because of people skills or the lack thereof.
You can learn hard skills any time; develop people skills now.
You can be right and righteous, but if you do not know how to communicate, you will not find an accepting audience and you will not notice why.
You will go to your grave thinking you are being persecuted for your opinions.
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So, then: How does one improve one's people skills?
Humble yourself enough to know that this might be a weakness and you might be the problem in some of the results you are getting. If doors are constantly being slammed in your face, it may be that you are not 100% at fault, but it may also be true that the possibility of change is in your choices.
Care about it. Care enough to work at it and decide you will improve.
Take your eyes off yourself and how you perceive yourself. The world does not exist entirely within the vision of your own perspective on things.
Ask for feedback.
Listen more than you speak.
Grow some thicker skin. Don't allow yourself to be easily offended or threatened.
Practice. Start practicing with some trusted friends with whom you have confided your need to develop better skills. Let them be honest with you.
Get a coach.
Keep a journal of some of your interactions with your own reflection and analysis and what you have learned.
Take a class. Classes in this really do exist.
Read a book on the subject. Do it at least once a year or more often.
That is enough for one day. It is at least enough to get you started. Are you interested?
Or do you like being in hot water?
Science is proven that the myth of the frog staying in the pot as the temperature gradually rises is probably not true.
Pastor Tom's Community 
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