The Power of a Lateral Move: How It Can Pave the Way for Your Future Promotion

When thinking about career advancement, most professionals set their sights on promotions—moving up the corporate ladder, earning a bigger title, and increasing their responsibilities. However, one of the smartest ways to position yourself for that next big step isn’t always an immediate upward move—it’s a lateral one.

A lateral move within your company, where you transition to a role at a similar level but in a different department or function, can be a strategic career move. While it may not come with an immediate pay bump or fancier title, it can provide you with the experience, relationships, and visibility needed to land a promotion in the future.

Here’s why a lateral move might be your best path to long-term career success.

1. Expands Your Skill Set and Knowledge

A lateral move allows you to develop new skills and gain experience in different areas of the business. If you’ve been working in a highly specialized role, moving laterally can help you become a more well-rounded professional. For example, if you’re in sales and take a lateral move into marketing, you’ll gain insight into customer acquisition strategies, branding, and messaging—all of which can make you a stronger candidate for a leadership role in the future.

By broadening your expertise, you make yourself a more valuable asset to your company, showing that you can adapt, learn quickly, and contribute in multiple areas.

2. Increases Your Business Acumen

Every company is made up of multiple departments working together to achieve common goals. However, many employees only have deep knowledge of their own team’s responsibilities. By making a lateral move, you gain a deeper understanding of how different parts of the company function, how they interconnect, and where inefficiencies or opportunities exist.

This broader perspective will make you a more strategic thinker and problem-solver—qualities that leadership teams look for when considering candidates for promotion.

3. Strengthens Your Professional Network

When you stay in the same role for too long, your exposure to different leaders and decision-makers can be limited. A lateral move introduces you to new teams, managers, and key stakeholders, increasing your visibility within the company.

These expanded relationships can help you:

• Build advocates and mentors who can champion your career.
• Learn leadership styles from different managers.
• Gain credibility across multiple departments.

When promotion opportunities arise, having a wider network means more people know and respect your work, increasing your chances of being considered for leadership roles.

4. Demonstrates Adaptability and Initiative

Employers value employees who show initiative in managing their careers. By making a lateral move, you demonstrate:

• A willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
• Adaptability in learning new roles and responsibilities.
• A proactive approach to professional growth.

Leaders want to promote individuals who are open to change, continuously learning, and capable of handling complex business challenges—qualities that lateral moves help you develop.

5. Positions You for a More Strategic Promotion

Sometimes, the direct path to a promotion isn’t the fastest. If your current role doesn’t naturally lead to the leadership position you want, a lateral move could help you bridge that gap.

For example, if you’re in a technical role but want to move into management, transitioning into a project management or operations role first could help you gain the leadership experience you need to move up.

Likewise, if you aspire to an executive-level position, having experience across multiple functions (e.g., finance, marketing, operations) can make you a stronger candidate for leadership roles that require a holistic view of the business.

Making the Most of Your Lateral Move

If you’re considering a lateral move, make sure you:
✔ Have a clear goal – Understand how the move fits into your long-term career plan.
✔ Communicate your aspirations – Let your manager and mentors know your career goals so they can support you.
✔ Excel in your new role – Treat the move as an opportunity to prove your value, expand your skills, and build relationships.

Final Thoughts

A lateral move may not come with an immediate title change, but it can be one of the most powerful steps you take toward career growth. By gaining broader experience, building stronger connections, and increasing your visibility within the company, you set yourself up for greater opportunities in the future.

Instead of only looking up, consider looking across—you might just find the stepping stone you need to reach your next promotion.