The Power of Career Lattices

In 2007, I was nearing the end of my post-merger integration assignment in Germany when the Head of EMEA IT asked me to return to the Philippines for a temporary role: Interim Regional Director of IT Asia for six months. The Head of IT Asia was heading to Australia for a long-term assignment, and I was asked to fill the gap.

As is often the case with these types of assignments, one of two things usually happens: 1) you complete the assignment and return to your previous role, or 2) the assignment becomes permanent, leading to the career progression you’ve been aiming for. I was hoping for the second option, thinking about my career ladder and wanting to move upward.

My six-month assignment went well, and as it ended, I was eagerly looking for my next step. What came next, however, wasn’t what I had envisioned as the next rung on my ladder. I was offered a position in Mexico as a Process Analyst/Consultant at the company’s corporate headquarters. At that time, it didn’t feel like the upward career move I was hoping for.

But then, my mentor-manager gave me some advice that changed my perspective. He said, “Think of where you are now as the minor leagues. We’re bringing you to the majors here at corporate. You might start on the bench, but you’ll be in the big leagues.” That advice convinced me to take a leap of faith.

That move to Mexico was a pivotal moment—it eventually led me to the U.S., into a new industry in consumer packaged goods, and ultimately, to becoming a Chief Information Officer.

I learned one important lesson: careers aren’t ladders—they’re lattices. Sometimes the most valuable experiences come from stepping sideways, not upwards. The journey is not just about climbing up; it’s about moving across, learning, and growing in all directions. What happens when that vertical path isn’t what you want? When your skills or interests shift? The truth is, most careers, especially in technology, are far from linear. We need flexibility, the opportunity to move laterally, to take on different challenges, and to develop new perspectives. That’s the lattice!

In a world that’s evolving as quickly as ours—especially with advancements like AI—the most successful leaders will be those who embrace the lattice approach, blend technical expertise with leadership, and commit to lifelong learning.