Summary Definition: An agile career development path that supports vertical, horizontal, and diagonal movement.
A career lattice is a talent management framework that emphasizes flexible internal mobility and career development. In other words, it allows and encourages vertical, horizontal, or diagonal progression through a company.
Unlike a traditional career ladder, where employees can only move upward, a lattice pathway allows staff to explore different career options based on their personal ambitions, skills, and work-life needs. This, in turn, drives organic career development tied to personal fulfillment and satisfaction rather than status and money.
A career lattice framework includes and supports five key features for fostering an adaptable workforce:
A career ladder represents a traditional, linear progression within a single career track, with promotions and advancements occurring vertically.
In contrast, a career lattice allows for lateral or diagonal progression and development across multiple roles and functions, offering employees greater flexibility for growth.
Career Ladder | Career Lattice |
---|---|
Rigidly vertical (i.e., the only way is up.) |
Multi-directional (i.e., employees can move horizontally, diagonally, vertically, or even downward.) |
Employees progress within their original team or department. |
Employees progress across different departments and functions. |
Advancement is earned via promotion after gaining a certain level of experience. |
Advancement is earned through the collection of diverse skills and experiences. |
The primary motivations are leadership, seniority, and a high salary. |
The primary motivation is continuous learning and development. |
Success is based on how high you climb the ladder. |
Success is based on personal fulfillment. |
In general, by encouraging lateral movement within an organization, career lattices can help dismantle barriers between teams. This, in turn, can create multiple benefits for the organization as a whole:
The following examples demonstrate a career lattice in action, showcasing how individuals navigate diverse paths for career advancement and skill development:
The diagram below illustrates how an employee may shift laterally into a different field (ex. from HR Specialist to Learning & Development Coordinator) or vertically to higher levels of authority (ex. from HR Business Partner to Senior Business Partner) in different stages of their career.
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