6 Career “Lattice” Moves That Outperform the Traditional Ladder

For decades, the corporate world has sold us one version of success: climb the ladder. Step-by-step. Upward only. Anything else? Probably a detour—or worse, a sign you’re not ambitious enough. But the truth is, that model is overdue for a refresh.

In real life, careers rarely unfold in tidy, linear lines. People shift, explore, pause, leap, and occasionally pivot sideways into something even better. The ladder metaphor doesn’t reflect that. That’s why more professionals—and forward-thinking companies—are turning to a different idea: the career lattice.

Unlike the ladder, a career lattice allows for sideways, diagonal, or even down-and-over moves, all in service of long-term growth and purpose. It's a model that values agility over hierarchy and personal alignment over position titles. And in an ever-changing job market, these moves may not just be smart—they might be your most strategic ones yet.

What Is a Career “Lattice” Move?

Think of a lattice like the wooden framework you might see in a garden—it supports growth in all directions. In career terms, that could mean shifting departments, experimenting with different skill sets, or choosing roles that align more with values than vertical status.

A lattice move isn’t about abandoning progress. It’s about redefining what progress means to you. It’s also about taking control of your career story and choosing paths that align with your evolving goals—whether that looks like broadening your influence, deepening your expertise, or finding more balance.

A study found that companies with lattice career models are more likely to retain top talent, especially younger professionals who prioritize growth, flexibility, and personal development over traditional promotions.

Let’s look at six lattice moves that outperform the traditional ladder—especially when done with purpose.

1. The Strategic Lateral Move

(More value, same title—but with a smarter lens)

A lateral move often gets a bad reputation—mainly because it doesn’t come with a shinier title or bump in salary. But in a lattice model, moving sideways can actually be a masterclass in career evolution. It can expose you to new business areas, expand your network, and give you skills that vertical moves simply can’t.

Let’s say you’re in marketing and pivot into operations. You’ll learn how systems actually get executed, not just pitched. Or maybe you move from client services to internal strategy—less external pressure, more big-picture thinking.

Lateral moves could:

• Help you break into a new industry niche
• Build cross-functional fluency
• Make you more adaptable in future leadership roles

The key? Make it strategic. Go into a lateral move with a plan—know what you’re gaining, even if it’s not instantly visible on a LinkedIn headline.

2. The Skills-First Stretch Assignment

(No title change, but a chance to expand your scope)

Sometimes, you don’t need a new role—you just need a new challenge. Stretch assignments are often temporary, high-impact projects that push you outside your comfort zone. They're perfect for testing new skills and signaling readiness for future roles.

You might take on leading a cross-functional project, mentoring a team in another department, or helping launch a new product line. These assignments add weight to your resume without requiring you to uproot your current position.

Here’s the catch: they’re rarely handed out. You often have to ask for them—or create them yourself. But when done right, they position you as someone who takes initiative and learns fast.

And in today’s dynamic job market, showing adaptability is arguably more valuable than showing title inflation.

3. The Industry Switch (Without Starting Over)

(Same skills, new landscape)

Switching industries doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. In fact, one of the smartest lattice moves is applying your current expertise to a completely different sector. If you’ve been in fashion PR for years, could you take your storytelling chops into the healthcare space? If you’ve mastered analytics in e-commerce, how might that transfer to nonprofit impact measurement?

This move works especially well for people feeling stuck or misaligned in their current field. It doesn’t erase your experience—it reframes it.

You’ll likely:

• Revive your curiosity
• Build a fresh professional network
• Discover a new sense of purpose

It’s not about pivoting wildly—it’s about repackaging your value.

4. The Value-Aligned “Downshift”

(Fewer hours, more alignment)

Not every smart move leads to more responsibility. Sometimes, the wisest move is taking a step back to realign your energy, priorities, or mental health. This might look like shifting to a part-time role, reducing your scope, or taking a role that supports your lifestyle goals more than your résumé.

This isn’t failure—it’s design. It’s choosing how you want to grow, not just where. A downshift could open up time for passion projects, caregiving, or long-overdue rest. And surprisingly, it can reignite your creativity and set you up for even stronger future moves.

Some people downshift to:

• Avoid burnout
• Return to school or reskill
• Focus on family, travel, or mental wellness

And let’s be honest: burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Real sustainability often looks like recalibration.

5. The Internal Pivot

(Changing lanes without leaving the company)

Internal mobility is one of the most underused career levers—and yet, it’s packed with opportunity. Staying in the same company while shifting departments, roles, or functions lets you keep your institutional knowledge and explore new terrain.

For example, someone in sales might pivot into product development after years of customer-facing insights. Or a project manager might move into employee experience, applying similar organizational skills in a people-centered space.

Benefits of an internal pivot include:

• Reduced onboarding time
• Familiarity with company culture
• Easier access to informal sponsors or allies

Don’t assume your company doesn’t support this until you ask. Many forward-thinking organizations now have formal internal mobility programs—and managers are more open than ever to retaining talent across functions.

6. The Passion-Project Launchpad

(Pursuing personal projects that lead to new professional paths)

Sometimes, the best career moves aren’t formal at all. They start on the side—as something you build for yourself. A writing habit becomes a consulting business. A community initiative becomes a full-time role in advocacy. These passion-led projects may begin after hours, but they can often inform, inspire, or completely reroute your career path.

Not every passion project needs to go full-time to be valuable. Some evolve into speaking gigs, portfolio work, or thought leadership in your field. Others become bridges into new industries or audiences.

Here’s what these projects often offer:

• Authentic self-expression
• Creative problem-solving
• Opportunities to experiment without high risk

The key here is intentionality. What are you curious about that your current job doesn’t let you explore? Your lattice path may begin outside the 9-to-5—but still shape where it leads next.

Key Takeaways

• Career growth isn’t always upward—and that’s a good thing.
• Lateral moves can deepen skills and expand visibility across functions.
• Stretch assignments offer growth without needing to switch roles.
• Industry pivots repurpose your expertise for new challenges.
• Downshifts and internal shifts support alignment and sustainability.
• Passion projects are powerful career incubators—even when they start small.

Choose Your Next Move, Not Just Your Next Title

Career progression is no longer about climbing the tallest ladder—it’s about building the most meaningful one. That might mean taking sideways steps, creating your own path, or redefining success entirely. You don’t need permission to move differently. You just need a sense of direction, a willingness to explore, and the courage to ask, What do I actually want next?

The best moves aren’t always the most visible. They’re the ones that feel aligned, intentional, and human. And those, in the long run, are the ones that perform the best.

You get to design your lattice. Let it grow in all the directions you need.