The Meaning of Lateral Move

The expression ''lateral move'' actually means a change in professions or, more docile, the movement into another job where the quantum of clear exchange of title, compensation, or level is fewer.

An instance of a lateral move would be an internal change of position between a department that maintains the job level and the salary level.

For instance, if a person among the marketing team and is working as a content writer becomes a part of the public relations department as a communications specialist within the same company, now this type of move will be considered a lateral move.

Is a Lateral Move a Good Idea?

For instance, a lateral move would be comparatively much easier to pull off than taking a promotion. Plus, it can help individuals acquire some new skills and open the gate for taking opportunities, not only right now but for their future roles.

But that won''t be a complete answer. If you see, then a lateral move can also be a little risky for your career as with this move, you''ll receive the exact same title and salary, yet, you''ll have to start from scratch for raises and promotions.

Still, many people opt for it and there are many reasons why they do so.

And the main reason for a lot of lateral moves, Cultivated Culture founder Austin Belcak said, is this: ""Finally, they come to the realization that they''re on a path that isn''t the one for them.""

""That can be for a variety of reasons, but typically what it comes down to is value-based, passion-based, financially, or a combination,"" Belcak said. ""Typically, somebody who''s going to forego a vertical leap has realized that they need to explore something else, and they already have a clear idea of what that something else is.""

Most people also opt for a lateral move when they feel they have reached the final ceiling of their present job; for example, if you are directly reporting to the CEO at the age of 32, you may consider opting for a lateral move.

Lateral Move vs. Vertical Move

A lateral move, already discussed, is when one is moving within the same company, same team or department, from their current role to another in a new role with the same salary where the level and position remain the same.

On the other hand, a vertical move—as the name suggests—is when you''re trying to climb the corporate ladder and you keep moving with promotion after promotion, or you keep applying for a senior role and eventually reach the C-executive level or other levels considered above.

What Is the Risk of Lateral Movement?

There are plenty of risks involved in a lateral movement.

• The number one risk will be you have to begin back to zero for increases and promotions even if having a similar title and level.
• At times, lateral movement can also lead to professional stagnation considering that one does not always get many opportunities for career growth in every field and skills development.
• If you constantly keep on moving sideways without receiving any promotion or moving upwards, the result could be lack of career growth. Such perception may have an effect on your professional image within that organization.
• Your expectation and challenges that involve in the new role that you are taking up are not properly informed, and this leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction.
• You may even lose your specialization, which may take away your growth in your career path.
• In certain organizations, a lateral move does not necessarily go along with a considerable rise in pay or perks. In that case, it may dent your total compensation and financial growth.
• In some cases, lateral movement may result in a change of culture in another department. Depending on how one takes it, it may turn out to be an opportunity to get to know more new people, but the employee will be struggling to get used to the new team with whom they will work since he or she might not be adapting to the new team''s work style that had changed, which may lead to a posh situation, and the employee, changing their position to a lateral movement, may end up in discomfort and dissatisfaction.
• Lateral moves could potentially limit new networks and opportunities for professional growth. The other way round it sometimes works out is that the employee loses out on building some sorts of relationships in other parts of the organization that might have been helpful to his or her career.
• If you are taking a lateral move very often, it will question in other people your commitment, firmness, or soundness with the organization. Consequently, other people within the organization question whether you stick to your long-term goals and dedication to a specific role or whether you do not.