Dear Empower Reader,
As we start the New Year, it's a perfect time to reframe our goals and embrace a more collaborative mindset. Instead of setting resolutions focused solely on climbing the career ladder, consider building a lattice of growth—one that prioritizes new experiences, relationships, and shared success. The start of the year offers a fresh opportunity to explore lateral moves, mentor others, and foster a network that empowers not just yourself but those around you. Let 2025 be the year we all rise together through collaboration, adaptability, and collective success. We've all been exposed to the traditional narrative of success: "climb the ladder, reach the top, and enjoy the view." For decades, the metaphor of the career ladder has been deeply embedded in our understanding of what it means to "make it." But as the modern workplace continues to evolve, we are beginning to see that this rigid, hierarchical model may no longer serve us well—especially when considering the importance of flexibility, fulfillment, and collaboration in today’s dynamic world.
During a recent mentoring meeting, Matt Menke, a Planning Director with the State of Minnesota, shared a thought-provoking idea that completely reshaped how I think about career growth. He introduced the concept of a "lattice"—a network of connections and opportunities that crisscross in many directions, rather than a singular, upward climb. This lattice approach not only fosters collaboration but also creates space for personal development, team success, and long-term fulfillment.
As I reflected on Matt's insight, I realized how much this idea resonates with the values I uphold at Empower Possible—values like community, collaboration, and the power of building one another up. I also realized I have been using this approach throughout my life without giving it a name. I thank Matt for naming this concept so that I can share it with you today. In this edition of the Regenerate Your World newsletter, we’re exploring how embracing a lattice approach to professional goals can transform the way we think about success.
The idea of "climbing the ladder" implies a linear, hierarchical progression, where each person fights for the next rung, often at the expense of those around them. It’s a model based on scarcity—there are only so many spots at the top, and the assumption is that if one person succeeds, another must fail.
This competitive mindset can create tension and isolation in the workplace. It fosters an environment where people are more focused on outperforming their peers than on helping one another grow. It can also lead to burnout and dissatisfaction, especially for those who feel that their contributions are undervalued if they aren’t constantly moving upward.
While the ladder model has worked for some, it’s not without its drawbacks. It assumes that everyone’s goal is to reach the highest possible position in their field, which may not align with the desires of those who value work-life harmony, varied experiences, or long-term professional fulfillment. Additionally, it leaves little room for lateral moves, mentorship, and the development of diverse skills—things that often enrich both our personal and professional lives.
In contrast, a lattice allows for movement in multiple directions. Rather than solely focusing on climbing to the top, the lattice mindset encourages us to explore lateral moves, new experiences, and collaborative opportunities that contribute to a more holistic and fulfilling career. This approach is less about competition and more about collaboration—about finding ways to grow with others rather than at their expense.
Here are some key benefits of adopting a lattice approach to your professional growth:
The lattice model recognizes that careers aren’t always linear. Life changes, industry shifts, and personal interests evolve. A lattice allows for movement in all directions—up, down, sideways—and gives you the flexibility to adapt your career to fit your evolving goals and circumstances. Whether you’re exploring a new field, taking on a cross-functional role, or developing skills in a different area, the lattice mindset helps you grow in ways that are meaningful to you. Take it from me. I have changed careers three times and each time I felt like I was just where I needed to be in that moment.
When you’re focused solely on climbing the ladder, it’s easy to lose sight of the people around you. A lattice encourages you to build relationships across different areas, functions, and teams. These connections can lead to mentorship opportunities, collaborative projects, and a deeper understanding of how your work fits into the bigger picture. By moving laterally and engaging with a broader network, you can cultivate relationships that enrich your career and help others grow, too.
Lateral moves allow you to develop a wider range of skills and experiences, which can be just as valuable—if not more so—than traditional promotions. Whether you’re learning a new technical skill, gaining leadership experience, or developing expertise in a different area, each step in the lattice builds a stronger, more versatile foundation for your career. These varied experiences can make you a more well-rounded professional and open doors to new opportunities you may not have considered before.
Perhaps the most transformative aspect of the lattice is its emphasis on shared success. Instead of competing with others for the same limited opportunities, the lattice encourages us to lift one another up, share knowledge, and work together toward common goals. This creates a more supportive, inclusive environment where everyone has the chance to succeed, and success is measured not by individual accomplishments alone but by the collective impact of the team.
In my early career, I was hyper-focused on advancing as quickly as possible. I believed that climbing the ladder was the only way to prove my worth. However, over time, I began to notice that the people I admired weren’t necessarily the ones who moved up the fastest. Instead, they were the ones who took the time to build strong relationships, explore new roles, and develop a wide range of skills.
At a certain point, I decided to take a lateral move into a different department, even though it wasn’t a traditional promotion. This experience allowed me to learn a new set of skills, work with different people, and gain a broader perspective on the organization. It also allowed me to build meaningful relationships that have continued to support my growth over the years. In hindsight, this lateral move was one of the most valuable decisions I made in my career—not because it brought me closer to the top, but because it enriched my journey in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
A few years ago, I found myself in a leadership role. My team was disconnected and riddled with competing priorities. Instead of encouraging competition, I encouraged collaboration. I started to focus on how I could help them grow, too. I began mentoring my team members and collaborating with peers on cross-functional projects. Not only did this make the work more fulfilling, but it also built a stronger sense of community and trust within our team. As we worked together and supported one another, we achieved collective success—and my own professional growth followed naturally. This experience taught me that true success isn’t about standing out alone; it’s about rising together.
As a woman, I often face unique challenges in the workforce. We’re frequently told that there are limited seats at the table, and we must compete with one another for those few spots. But what if we reframed this narrative? What if, instead of competing, we focused on lifting each other up and building a supportive network that enables all of us to succeed?
Maya Angelou once said, “I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.” This quote reminds me of the power we hold as women—not just in our ability to achieve great things individually but in our capacity to create meaningful change together. When we adopt a lattice mindset and focus on collaboration over competition, we create an environment where we can all thrive. We celebrate one another’s successes, share knowledge, and work together to break down barriers.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have there been moments in your career when you felt the pressure to compete rather than collaborate? How did this impact your experience?
2. How can you reframe your professional goals to focus on building a lattice rather than climbing a ladder?
3. What steps can you take to support the growth of others in your network while also advancing your own career?
An Affirmation: "I am building a career lattice, embracing growth through collaboration, adaptability, and shared success. Together, we rise, supporting one another as we create meaningful and fulfilling opportunities."
At Empower Possible, I believe that success is not a zero-sum game. By adopting a lattice approach to career growth, we can build stronger, more fulfilling careers that are based on collaboration, adaptability, and shared success. Whether you’re taking a lateral move to gain new skills, mentoring a colleague, or building relationships across your organization, each step in your journey is an opportunity to grow—not just for yourself, but for those around you.
As you reflect on your professional goals, I encourage you to think about how you can build your own lattice. How can you move in ways that create more opportunities for learning, collaboration, and shared success? By shifting from competition to collaboration, we can all rise together.
Thank you, as always, for being a part of the Empower Possible community. Let’s continue to build each other up and create meaningful change—one step at a time.
Take Care, Dear Reader,
Julie Zaruba Fountaine Founder of Empower Possible
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