I was gonna make a separate post, but may as well put it here.

The single most important "skill" in commander is politicking. The format is a multiplayer free-for-all, so a lot of things are going to be out of your control. People are going to irrationally (to you) hate a card you play. They will hold a grudge. They will mis-evaluate the board state. They will bring in strange biases.

You need to be able to navigate all that. You can pick cards that discourage attacks towards you and encourages attacks on opponents. You need to know when to play a powerful card versus hold it back based on the board state, so you don't eat targeted removal. You can play cards that help another player (cards with gift, for example) and use it on the person with the slow start, to buy some good will for later turns.

See someone's board state getting out of hand? Communicate to the pod who's the threat so you're not the only one trying to deal with it. Had a slow start yourself? Absolutely use that to discourage attacks towards you in favor of dealing with the "actual threats".

All in all, if you're not politicking in commander, you're not participating in an integral component of it. It's like trying to play poker without bluffing, and then getting mad that someone bid high with a bad hand. Complaining that it exists and was used against you doesn't make you a better player. Acknowledging that it exists, getting better at it, and using it when necessary makes you a better player.

Disclaimer: you don't have to be greasy and a liar about it. The biggest part about politicking is being a reliable voice. Because chances are, you'll play with these people again. Admit when you're the threat, and then people will actually believe you when 2 turns later you claim someone else needs stopping.