Making the Lateral Move
You have been working hard, tracking your accomplishments, and promoting your brand within your organization — all the right moves to obtaining that promotion you know you deserve. However, instead of receiving the promotion, your boss calls you in for a chat and informs you that they are considering you for a newly opened position – a role within a different part of the organization yet with the same or similar title and pay grade. It would be a lateral move.
Maybe you’ve decided that you would like to change functions. Perhaps you’re an engineer who wants to move into the operations side of the business. The best way to do that is to make a lateral move within your current organization.
Why make a lateral move?
Keep skills current and sharp. Let’s face it. There simply are not the same promotion opportunities that there were 20 or 30 years ago. But there is still pressure to stay competitive. A lateral move can help you learn new skills without leaving your employer.
Proactive career management. Don’t wait around for that dream job to come your way. Actively seek it out. A lateral move can help you get there.
Learn new things. Don’t overlook the importance of this seemingly straightforward concept. It’s easy to become stagnant and continue with the same routine. Making a lateral move enables you to acquire new knowledge without adapting to an entirely different corporate culture.
Increase your visibility. The chance to take on challenging new projects allows you the opportunity to shine. If you’re not getting that in your current role, you might want to look to a lateral move to help increase your visibility within the organization.
Prepares you for promotion. A lateral move can help prepare you for a promotion by allowing you to gain a broader knowledge of the organization.
Gain self-awareness. A lateral move can allow you to accomplish things you’d not been able to previously and help you shape the vision of your future.
Build your brand. You know that diversification is key to success in just about anything. Diversifying your experience can help you build your brand and strengthen it. Remember, you own your brand.
Lighten your workload. Maybe you’re being stretched beyond your limits in your current role. A lateral move can help reduce the stress of the job while also allowing you to stretch your wings. A reduced workload does not necessarily mean an “easier” job but can mean a job more focused on results.
If you’re contemplating a lateral move — whether on your own or suggested to you — schedule a talk with your current boss. It’s possible your boss either does not know your ambitions or has a misconception about you or your situation. If you have a mentor within the organization, schedule a meeting with them. If you work for a company that tends to promote from within, a lateral move can help fast-track you to your next promotion.