Should You Make a Lateral Career Move? How to Decide

Career paths are often viewed as a straight climb up a ladder, but in practice they’re frequently much more complex. In this brief video, hybrid work expert Brian Elliott explains why sideways job changes can actually be beneficial to long-term growth.

Career advancement isn’t always a straight climb up. In this insightful video, MIT Sloan Management Review columnist Brian Elliott — a former executive at Google and Slack — makes the case that success is less about climbing a rigid ladder up and more about navigating a dynamic, multidimensional jungle gym of professional opportunities.

Elliott challenges traditional notions of professional growth by explaining why a sideways career move might be the best approach to long-term career advancement.

In this video, Elliott explains:

• Why lateral moves can be more powerful than vertical promotions.
• How to overcome internal and external biases about career progression.
• Strategies for reigniting professional passion and avoiding career stagnation.
• The critical role of professional allies and sponsors.

He also draws from his extensive experience to reveal how strategic sideways moves can:

• Expand your skill set.
• Increase your professional adaptability.
• Create unexpected opportunities for development.
• Help you navigate complex organizational landscapes.

This interview offers anyone who feels stuck in their current role a fresh perspective on why moving laterally or even down a rung on your career path can pay off in the long term.

For more advice on how to break out of a job rut, read the full article “When Moving Sideways Makes Sense.”