For decades, the traditional career path has looked a lot like a ladder—one narrow route of upward steps, rung by rung, toward success. But in today’s ever-evolving world, that linear trajectory isn’t always realistic, or even desirable. More professionals are rethinking what growth looks like, trading vertical leaps for lateral moves that broaden skills, deepen experience, and ultimately make them more adaptable and valuable leaders.
Craig Shults is one example of someone who’s redefined his career through non-linear progression. His journey across multiple industries and roles—from finance to operations to leadership—hasn’t followed a straight line, but it has made him exceptionally well-rounded. And he’s not alone. Increasingly, the most agile and effective leaders are those who’ve embraced career pivots as opportunities, not detours.
Here’s why lateral moves deserve more credit—and how they can be a powerful investment in long-term success.
Beyond the Ladder: The Case for Lateral Growth
In the past, climbing the corporate ladder was seen as the gold standard of career advancement. But in fast-changing industries, many professionals are discovering that real growth sometimes requires stepping sideways before moving up. Lateral moves—transferring to a different department, role, or even industry at a similar level—offer new challenges, fresh perspectives, and valuable skill-building that you simply can’t get from staying in one lane.
Unlike promotions, lateral moves may not come with a new title or higher salary right away. But they can open doors that lead to bigger opportunities later. In fact, many top executives credit lateral moves for helping them build the broad expertise and network necessary to succeed at higher levels.
Skill Diversification: The New Competitive Edge
When you make a lateral move, you’re expanding your toolkit. You might learn how different departments operate, gain exposure to new technologies, or work with different teams and leadership styles. This kind of cross-functional experience is incredibly valuable, especially in today’s collaborative, project-driven work environments.
Craig Shults’s varied experience across industries has given him the ability to quickly assess challenges, communicate effectively with diverse teams, and implement solutions that are both strategic and practical. It’s this range—not just depth—that gives leaders the ability to thrive in uncertainty.
Think of it like this: a ladder gives you height, but a lattice gives you reach. And in a world where industries intersect and disruption is constant, reach is what gives leaders an edge.
Building Business Acumen Holistically
Lateral moves help you understand the business as a whole. Let’s say you start in accounting and move into operations. That transition might not look like “climbing,” but it’s actually broadening your understanding of how decisions affect the bottom line and day-to-day execution. Later, when you’re in a leadership role, that knowledge becomes indispensable.
The best leaders are systems thinkers. They can connect dots across teams, functions, and outcomes. They’re not siloed in one perspective. By intentionally moving across departments or business units, you develop that systems-level insight—something that vertical-only growth often misses.
Adapting to Change Through Experience
Another reason lateral moves are so valuable is that they teach adaptability. Every time you step into a new role, you’re faced with a learning curve. You’re building the mental muscle to assess unfamiliar situations, ask better questions, and navigate ambiguity. That’s the exact kind of resilience organizations need in leadership today.
Craig Shults often reflects on how his career pivots have given him the ability to step into new situations with confidence. Because he’s done it before—more than once—he’s not rattled by change. He embraces it, and he’s equipped to guide others through it.
Whether you’re transitioning from corporate to nonprofit, from marketing to product management, or from a large firm to a startup, each move builds your ability to flex, learn, and lead.
Reframing Success on Your Own Terms
For some professionals, the hardest part about making a lateral move is psychological. Our culture often rewards upward titles and prestige over meaningful growth. But success isn’t just about where you are on the org chart—it’s about whether you’re learning, making an impact, and staying aligned with your values and goals.
Choosing a lateral move is an act of career ownership. It’s a way of saying, “I want to grow differently.” And it’s especially powerful when the move aligns with your long-term vision, even if the short-term optics don’t look like a step up.
In fact, many lateral moves are strategic plays. You might move to a smaller company to gain leadership experience, shift to a different industry to broaden your expertise, or join a new team to expand your network. Each move is a piece of the bigger puzzle.
Making a Lateral Move Work for You
If you’re considering a lateral move, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
- Be clear on your “why.”
Are you looking to learn a new skill, explore a different part of the business, or position yourself for future leadership? A clear purpose will help you evaluate opportunities and stay motivated through the transition. - Communicate your goals.
Make sure your manager or mentor understands why you’re interested in the move. When others see your growth mindset, they’re more likely to support your development. - Stay curious and humble.
When stepping into a new space, listen and learn. You might bring transferable skills, but you’re also there to absorb new insights. - Track your impact.
Even if your title doesn’t change, document the value you bring in your new role. Over time, that experience will become a strong foundation for future leadership moves.
Growth Isn’t Always Up
The idea of climbing the career ladder is deeply ingrained—but it’s not the only path to success. In reality, the most successful and fulfilled professionals often have careers that zigzag, not rise in a straight line.
Craig Shults’s journey across industries is proof that lateral moves can strengthen leadership in ways promotions alone cannot. By exploring different roles and challenges, he’s built a toolkit that’s wide, deep, and incredibly adaptive.
In a world that’s constantly changing, the best career move might not be up—it might be across. And that choice could be the very thing that sets you apart in the long run.
