They say you can’t step in the same river twice. The river and the person are constantly changing and moving. That’s the way with work. The job market is constantly changing in nature and tone, but at the end of the day, a river is a river, and a job is a job.
No matter how the career landscape changes, we will want to make positive steps forward to improve our careers. But what if that next step to forward your career wasn’t forward at all? What if your best next move was sideways?
What are lateral movements?
At its simplest, a lateral career move means taking a new job at the same pay grade or organizational level. This involves taking on new duties and responsibilities, usually—but not exclusively—at the same company. You’ll find that these liquid opportunities are most common with startups, but we can expect them to become more common with established companies in the near future.
Lateral career moves can be curious and exciting. Haven’t you been curious to try someone else’s job? Have you never observed the social media team or the sales team and thought you would thrive in their shoes? Lateral moves free us from the idea that once we enter a career, we must walk away forever. It allows us to experiment with our career paths so we can identify our purpose and goals.
Why lateral movements are beneficial
They are fun!
First, lateral movements can be beneficial because they are fun. They are attractive to people who like to learn new things. People who derive joy from building new skills and mastering new experiences will find lateral movements exciting and rewarding. Ultimately, lateral movements are intrinsically rewarding for those who yearn to be challenged.
They make you more employable
Moving on to more pragmatic reasons, lateral moves will make you stand out to future employers. It makes perfect sense: The more skills you have, the more valuable you are. What’s more, it’s easy for job seekers to say they can do X, Y, and Z in a cover letter, but with a lateral move under your belt, you’ll have concrete evidence to back it up in an interview and, more importantly, at work.
They will impress your current company
Lateral moves will also reflect well on you to your current employees and colleagues. This will show that you are willing to try new things and that you are eager to develop yourself. These transitions across your company will also strengthen your network across the organization.
They make for better drivers
This network is great for making new friends at work, but it also strengthens your case for a promotion (i.e., vertical movement) when the time comes. Who better to manage than someone who already knows how the other departments work?
They increase job security
Lateral moves also give you greater job security at your current workplace. They will attract you to your company and help show your value. If cutbacks are to be made, management will be more likely to keep an employee with knowledge and skills across the business.
They can reduce burnout
Finally, a lateral move can be a unique solution to burnout, which is all too common in the modern workplace. A change of scenery can be a great solution to mend a groove in your professional life.
They also suit your boss
Dietrich Moens, CEO of Spacehuntr, a provider of corporate event solutions, thinks of lateral moves as cross-pollination. “I have found that when members of our team change departments, it breaks down roadblocks,” says Moens. “They are greater for productivity and have even opened the way for innovation in our work processes. It’s a kind of beautiful cross-pollination.” What’s more, it can even save your boss money. Hiring for a new position takes time, resources, and energy. You can reduce this by renting from within.
In addition, Moens says, “We saw that lateral moves led to better managers. When you have lived in someone else’s shoes, you become more understanding. These workers are better at recognizing, understanding, and resolving friction. It is remarkable.”
Finally, make for a more skilled worker, and if that’s not good for bosses, what is?
Top training tips to make lateral movements work
So far it has been a case of easier said than done. But how do you make a lateral career move work in practice? Consider the five-step plan below to ensure your lateral move is successful.
- Self-examination: The first step is self-examination. Why are you looking for a lateral move? Understanding this desire is the best way to figure out how to motivate yourself and focus your efforts.
- Talk to your manager(s): Open communication with your team and your manager(s) is essential. Your manager should fully endorse and support what you are doing. After that, their support and advice can and should be invaluable to you.
- Set goals: After talking to your manager, it’s time to set goals. How long will you be in this new position? What level of competence do you hope to achieve? How steep should your learning curve be?
- Mutual learning: Your company may not have the time or the resources for you to take time away from work to learn. Try to work training into your daily routine so that you can learn while completing your responsibilities and tasks.
- Review: As in all areas of working life, you should be self-assessed, peer-reviewed, and receive a performance review. Reviews, done properly, help us grow and serve as rewards for our hard work.
You only have to listen to the stories of successful people themselves to see that there is more than one way to achieve success. Ultimately, the road to the top is littered with failures, surprises, and seizing opportunities when they come your way. Maybe a lateral move could be the career opportunity you’ve been looking for.
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