Soft skills don’t just mean “being nice” or “getting along with people.” They include how you communicate, handle feedback, disagree, read the room,... collaborate under pressure, and build trust.

It doesn’t mean people are being fake to you. Someone can like you personally and still think you need to grow professionally.

I would ask your manager for specific examples:

“I want to take this seriously. Can you help me understand what soft skills I need to improve — communication, collaboration, tone, handling feedback, conflict, or something else?”

Then listen without defending yourself. Take notes. Thank them. That alone shows maturity.

The goal is to shift from “Do people dislike me?” to “What behaviors do I need to change so people trust me in bigger roles?” Soft skills are learnable, and improving them can absolutely help you move up. more