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Why a Lateral Move Might Be Your Career “Power Play"

Don't Just Climb the Ladder, Explore the Horizontal Lens: Why a Lateral Move Might Be Your Career “Power Play”

Feeling stuck in your current role, but not necessarily chasing a promotion? You're in good company !

Many high-performers are strategically leveraging lateral moves to propel their careers forward. These strategic shifts involve moving across new companies or industries to new roles with similar responsibilities and compensation.

With these moves, the individuals are naturally immersing themselves into different environments and stakeholder dynamics, enabling themselves to stand out from the crowd as more than often they transition to” challengers of status quo” with a revitalised energy to add impact and value, with this, they can more easily stand out from the crowd..

But why go sideways when the traditional path is "up"? Here's the secret weapon of lateral moves:

• Become an Invaluable Asset: Lateral moves expose you to diverse functions, teams, and industry dynamics. This builds a well-rounded skillset, allowing you to tackle complex challenges from multiple angles and become a true asset to any organisation.
• Boost Your Strategic Thinking: A broader perspective gained from a lateral move fuels strategic thinking. You'll understand how different departments interlock, anticipate industry trends, and make informed decisions that benefit the bigger picture.
• Forge Powerful Connections & Build Bridges: Building strong relationships across departments is invaluable. Lateral moves foster collaboration and give you a holistic understanding of how the organisation operates. You become a bridge between teams, streamlining communication and driving results.
• Increased Job Satisfaction & Loyalty: Research by MIT's Donald Sull ([Source: Donald Sull study on lateral moves, 2021]) highlights the importance of lateral opportunities for employee retention. It's more than just pay; growth comes in many forms, and feeling valued and challenged keeps you engaged and motivated.

As The Economist aptly puts it, "the secret to career success may well be off to the side."

Are you ready to explore the power of a lateral move and unlock your full potential?

As a Senior Partner, Yvonne McNulty supports companies attract key talent to leadership and executive level roles for Board / Non Exec positions. She connects senior professionals  with exciting and career enhancing opportunities across a wider variety of industries and support people on leadership transitions.

Whether you're seeking a fresh perspective within your current field or a strategic shift to a new one, let's discuss how a lateral move can propel your career forward ! You can get in touch with Yvonne via connecting with her on LinkedIn or via phone on 353 14871187