A Step in Another Direction

I was listening to Adam Grant’s podcast the other day. He was interviewing solo climber Alex Honnold. 

Alex Honnold is an American rock climber, most noted for his free solo ascent to the top of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Honnold is the only person to climb El Capitan without ropes, harnesses or other protective equipment. It is a feat that requires immense athleticism and incredible bravery. 

I particularly liked this interview because Honnold made me rethink how to manage the plateaus or roadblocks in my career. 

He said that when he reached plateaus or roadblocks in his climbing career, he changed his practice. He would, for example, switch from adventurous alpine climbs on big snowy mountains to the physically challenging sport of climbing 100-foot rock walls.  

Not only does this add spice to his climbs, but he also found it improved his overall skill. Moving sideways and working on another area for a while, slowly increases his overall skill and he improves in both types of climbs. 

When I heard this, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own career. 

For almost 20 years I’ve been in the teaching profession. Like everyone else, I have experienced plateaus. Usually every 4-5 years. Rather than slogging through, getting bored or frustrated, I usually change my position. I don’t leave the profession; I just change my role within it. 

Like Honnold, I find that the change adds spice and variety to my life. I’ve also noticed it improves my overall skill too. 

Nothing has proved this more than my return to the classroom this fall.  

After nine years away, working as a teacher leader in two very different roles, I’ve returned a much better classroom teacher than when I left. My skills and ability have expanded. I’m sharper and I have many more tools in my practice that I can share with my students. I also have returned energized, excited to go to work each day.  

My partner, Brandon, is in a similar situation, except in IT. After hitting a plateau a few years ago, he knew it was time for a change. A job opportunity came along and he went for it. Like me, his new position is a lateral move, not a promotion. However, in this new role, he is exposed to different types of work, new projects and new learning. It's added variety and excitement to his work life, and it's improved his overall skill too. 

In a society where moving up the ladder and getting a promotion seems to be the ultimate goal, lateral moves are underestimated and undervalued. Yet, I would argue, they are even more important.    

Lateral moves keep us our toes. They refine our skills. They help people become more well-rounded. Lateral moves also equip people with diverse tools, which comes in handy should one aspire for a promotion in the future.  

It could do the same for you too. 

As a challenge this week, think about your current job. Are you still growing and learning? Are you still feeling deeply satisfied by your job? Or are you ready to make a change?

If you feel a change might be in order, consider what type of lateral move you can make to add variety, spice, and growth to your life.  

You never know. A new role could open doors to growth and success you never existed.   

Best wishes, Lauren