Dear Ella,

I have been working for the past year at a large healthcare organization that has great growth potential.

I left my engineering administrative career of 15 years to go into health care because I thought I was in too strict a work environment. Now, ironically, I'm finding my present work environment is too lax. This feeling is setting me apart from the group and making me feel extremely uncomfortable.

Although I try to make light conversation with my co-workers, I think they already have made up their minds that I don't fit in and have me judged negatively.

I recently applied for a senior management position within the organization that may give me the work structure I am more accustomed to. But I'm concerned that I might not get the job if it is already perceived that I wouldn't be able to lead the troops.

I'm fairly new with this company, so my credibility is still in question. Is it too late to do some damage control?

Dear My Way Or The Highway,

After 15 years in the stoic field of engineering, it's no wonder that you're having a tough time fitting into the social culture of your new work environment.

Engineering is notoriously known for its process-driven approach to everything. It's mathematical and meticulous, and requires exactness and consistency in order to always make A and B turn into C. Health care, on the other hand, is a lot about cost and process, too, but it's also a lot about relationship building, branding and salesmanship -- touchy-feely things that have an emotional core.

Begin to mend bridges with your colleagues by keeping in mind and appreciating the importance of the softer side of business. Understand how these intangibles benefit the group, the department and the company's business overall and you'll not only be a better contributor and colleague, you'll also be a better boss.