Beyond the Ladder: Navigating Career Growth in Today’s Flatter Organizations

Twenty years ago, the path to career success seemed clear and linear: work hard, get promoted, climb that corporate ladder. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Organizations have shed layers of management in pursuit of agility, and the traditional career climb now looks more like a winding path than a straight shot upward.

At FORTIS, we’ve had countless conversations with both job seekers and hiring managers about this shift, and one thing is clear—while the ladder may have fewer rungs, the opportunities for meaningful growth haven’t disappeared, they’ve just transformed. As we support professionals in navigating their careers, we’ve gathered insights on how to thrive in this new, flatter organizational world.

How Career Paths Have Changed

The Traditional Model

Historically, career progression followed a predictable upward trajectory. Organizations were structured like pyramids with numerous management layers. Success meant steadily climbing from entry-level positions through middle management and potentially to executive leadership. Each promotion brought a new title, increased responsibility, and higher compensation.

This model provided clear milestones and a visible path forward. Employees could easily visualize their next steps and measure their progress against established timelines. The journey was well-defined: master your current role, demonstrate leadership potential, get promoted, repeat.

Today’s Flatter Reality

Modern organizations have dramatically reduced management layers to enhance decision-making speed and operational efficiency. According to recent reporting, companies like UPS and Citigroup have cut thousands of supervisor jobs, while organizations across industries continue this trend of “delayering.”

With fewer traditional promotion opportunities available, more employees find themselves competing for a limited number of management roles. This shift has fundamentally changed what career development looks like. I’ve spoken with countless professionals who feel stuck or uncertain about their next move when the traditional upward path isn’t available. The good news is that growth opportunities still exist—they just require a different mindset and approach.

Strategies for Career Growth in Flatter Organizations

In my years of helping professionals navigate career transitions, I’ve seen firsthand that those who thrive in flatter organizations take a more creative, flexible approach to their development. Here are strategies that consistently work:

1. Expand Your Definition of Growth

Success no longer exclusively means moving up. In today’s workplace, growth takes many forms beyond promotion:

• Skill expansion: Developing new competencies that increase your value and versatility
• Scope enhancement: Taking on additional responsibilities within your current role
• Special projects: Leading cross-functional initiatives that showcase your capabilities
• Subject matter expertise: Becoming the go-to resource in a specialized area

I regularly meet with professionals who initially felt disappointed by a lack of promotional opportunities, only to discover profound satisfaction and recognition through these alternative growth paths. Imagine, for example, how a finance director could find tremendous fulfillment in developing data analytics expertise, which ultimately makes her more valuable to her organization than a traditional upward move would have.

2. Pursue Lateral Moves Strategically

In flatter organizations, horizontal movement often provides more growth opportunities than waiting for vertical advancement. Strategic lateral moves can significantly broaden your experience and prepare you for larger roles when they become available.

When considering lateral opportunities, look for roles that build complementary skills to your existing strengths. These complementary experiences create a more well-rounded professional profile that prepares you for broader leadership responsibilities in the future.

I’ve seen managers make lateral moves that later positioned them perfectly for senior leadership positions that required cross-functional skills and experiences. The sideways move ultimately accelerated their upward trajectory.

3. Become Comfortable with Self-Advocacy

Today’s flatter organizations require professionals to take greater ownership of their career trajectory. This means developing the ability to effectively advocate for your growth and aspirations.

Self-advocacy begins with clear communication about your career goals. Regular conversations with your manager about your aspirations ensure they understand what you’re working toward and can help identify appropriate opportunities. In my experience, the professionals who most successfully navigate flatter organizations are those who initiate these conversations rather than waiting for their managers to do so.

Documenting and communicating your achievements is equally important. Don’t assume your contributions are fully recognized—be proactive in highlighting your impact. Think of it less as bragging and more as providing your manager with the information they need to champion your development.

4. Create Your Own Development Plan

Without clearly defined advancement tracks, creating a personalized development plan becomes essential. This plan serves as your roadmap, helping you acquire the skills and experiences needed for continued growth.

A comprehensive development plan includes:

• Honest assessment of your current skills and meaningful gaps
• Research into competencies required for your desired future role
• Specific, measurable learning objectives with realistic timelines
• A mix of formal and informal learning approaches

I often tell candidates that in today’s world, professional development is too important to outsource entirely to your employer. Taking ownership of your growth demonstrates initiative and ensures you’re developing in ways that align with your personal career goals, not just organizational needs.

When to Consider External Opportunities

At FORTIS, we believe strongly in helping professionals find fulfilling career paths. Sometimes an external move provides the best path forward. If you’ve thoughtfully pursued internal pathways without success, a trusted recruiting partner can help identify organizations whose structures and cultures align with your career ambitions. The key is making this decision deliberately, based on careful consideration of your professional goals and thorough exploration of internal options.

Embracing the New Career Landscape

The transformation of organizational structures represents both challenge and opportunity for today’s professionals. While traditional career ladders may have fewer rungs, the possibilities for meaningful growth and development have actually expanded for those willing to embrace a more flexible approach to career progression.

By expanding your definition of success beyond promotions and titles, taking ownership of your development, and strategically building skills and relationships across your organization, you can craft a rewarding career journey even in the flattest of structures.

At FORTIS, we’re committed to supporting professionals through these career navigation challenges. We believe everyone deserves work that’s not just financially rewarding but personally fulfilling. Whether you’re seeking to maximize growth within your current organization or explore new opportunities, we’re here to provide guidance, advocate for your potential, and help you find a path that aligns with your professional goals.

Ready to explore opportunities? We’d love to work with you.