I found this great podcast/blog/YouTube video on interacting with other players. Click the link above to visit their web page, or check out the embedded YouTube video below.
Negotiation and subterfuge in conversation are an often-overlooked part of the game that can allow you to game the other players. Like in Poker, the other players can matter more than the cards in your hand.
There's also a nice overview of an EDH deck they created to grant the player a toolbox of options for control and negotiation including group hug tactics. It's quite a bit more expensive than the decks I have showcased at around $300, but it's not one of the more truly outrageous decks either. The hosts discuss their card choices and reasoning quite effectively, and it could be possible to build a similar deck using lower-cost alternatives that are less effective but already in your collection. You also don't need to build their exact deck if you want to adjust its focus to your own play style or group dynamics.