Move laterally to the top
INVEST in diversity and maximise your returns. A Lateral move is about investing yourself cleverly. You've heard it many times - `Never put all your eggs in one basket'. It's actually sensible to have a finger in every pie, because then you know which pie tastes the best. That way you wont settle for anything less. However, in order to gauge your abilities and skills, you need to have the exposure and experience in a variety of roles to see where you shine and where you flunk! Or else, you'll just be assuming that you could have been a superstar had you got the opportunity. Well, lateral moves accord you that opportunity to test if your assumptions are true, and to discover latent interests and talents that even you were unaware of. You never know in what disguise Opportunity knocks!
In any case, too many years on the same job is bound to drive you to boredom and tempt you to throw it all away. You also develop a tunnel vision. You lose sight of your goal and even the positive aspects of the job pale in comparison to the endless grinding routine. Needless to add, performance dips, complaints against you shoot up, and you could very soon be on your way out! Therefore, Lateral moves provide the antidote to monotony and boredom. In an organisation, with just a few top slots, such changes allow the company to give employees new challenges without actually having to promote them.
Career progression can be achieved by opting for lateral moves. Many a time, you would be eagerly awaiting that promotion, but it always eludes you. Maybe there are too few openings in that field and folks just don't seem to be leaving or retiring! So, you have to cool your heels waiting for your turn (whenever it comes) and compete with many other prospective candidates eyeing the same seat. Obviously, there's cutthroat competition and not very many friends to trust. When the way up seems so narrow, and the way out is not an option either, did it anytime occur to you to step sideways?
For workplace innovation, a Lateral move can open new avenues and help you develop more skills. It enables you to be more flexible, creative and explore new aspects of yourself. It can also give you a better chance of getting promoted in another department having more opportunities for growth. You could be coasting along the promotion highway sooner than you expected while the traffic jam continues in your previous department. If you're in a grid- lock, change lanes, but make sure you are moving at least.
Lateral moves broaden your horizon and vision and help you learn more skill sets and understand the whole rather than just a part. But, it probably doesn't work in organisations mired in hierarchy. But, then, those places are getting extinct.
Now, you must be thinking why move sideways rather than scaling new highs? Lateral transfers are calculated moves that individuals opt for when they do an in-depth analysis of where they stand and where they would like to be.
Lateral moves are not demotions. They are just different vehicles to take you ahead. Who knows, you might prefer the change when you find it offers better mileage and greater speed! Many people have discovered their niche by moving laterally. Organisations must constantly invigorate their employees by offering them challenges in the form of diversity and opportunities that help them broaden their vision, enrich their experiences and welcome change and learning.
The following are a few situations where lateral moves prove ideal:
When you want new challenges but not more responsibility
When your spouse is relocating and your company has a facility there
When you and your boss or a colleague are not seeing eye-to-eye
When for whatever reason you don't want the stress of promotion at the moment
When you want to gain experience in a functional area in which you plan to eventually move
When there's an opportunity to work under someone in another department from whom you can learn a lot and benefit greatly
The process benefits the organisations too. It allows companies to retain people with good track record but who are bored with the routine. And two, it saves attrition costs. It allows them to place personnel where they fit best and hence boost employee morale and competencies.
SALMA ALIABKAR
faqs@cnkonline.com
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