How pulling back at the right time could catapult your career forward.

Some time back, I was guiding a manager on my team who wanted to shift from strategy to marketing. The catch? She had little experience building brands, and the only way to make the switch was to take a more junior role. Most people told her not to take the “demotion,” but she saw the bigger picture. She knew stepping back now would set her up for long-term success.

In a world where career progress is often measured by promotions and titles, the idea of deliberately stepping back might seem counterintuitive. But the truth is that it can be a legitimate career move.

"Just like a slingshot, pulling back can create the momentum needed to propel you further ahead. This is the essence of a slingshot move—taking a role that may appear to be a step down but is, in fact, a strategic leap forward."

In our upcoming book, HeadStart: Unlock the Secrets to Career Success, my co-author, Sunder Ramachandran and I explore the underrated power of slingshots and how such career moves can propel your career forward. In this week’s post, let’s give you a sneak peek on this topic.

Building a rewarding career is a long-term journey. And it isn’t always linear. Gauging progress solely in terms of moving up the traditional, well-worn ladder could limit your growth and leave you feeling unfulfilled. In fact, many experts now prefer to use the term “career jungle gym” (rather than “career ladder”), referring to a more flexible and adaptable framework for professional advancement.

Making a lateral move or even taking a step “down” could be the best way forward in the following scenarios:

• When you need to expand your expertise. You may currently lack the knowledge or skills needed to advance beyond a certain point in your career. Stepping back now to build this expertise could open more and better doors in the long run.
• When you want to progress as a leader. Senior leadership roles in your organization may require expertise in a key market or experience managing a specific type of team. Stepping back to plug these gaps could ultimately bolster your credentials for key leadership positions.
• When you want to join a different company. To join an organization that’s better suited to your values and workstyle, you might have to accept a less prestigious role to start. Having to prove yourself again is a hard pill to swallow—but this move could be exactly what’s needed to kickstart a more satisfying tenure.
• When you want to change course. Pivoting to a new field or industry would likely entail starting out at a junior level. This strategic step down can set you on a new trajectory that aligns more closely with your passion and purpose. It also gives you room to breathe as you adjust to your new context.
• When you want to start your own business. Becoming an entrepreneur is a classic slingshot scenario. You will probably need to step back from a stable career in order to devote yourself to your new project and make the bold moves integral to a founder’s journey.
• When your definition of success changes. At a certain point, your career priorities may change. Perhaps you now measure progress in terms of work-life balance, social impact or proximity to loved ones. Reshaping your working life around these new goals might require a step down in designation or salary.
• When you realize you’ve made a mistake. Let’s say you accepted a promotion because you were “supposed to”—it was the next logical rung on the ladder. But now you’re unhappy because the role simply doesn’t suit you. Stepping back into the area that genuinely inspires you could enable more purposeful growth in the future.

No matter where you are in your career, taking a step back can feel like a blow to your pride. But if it’s a strategic choice that creates the momentum necessary to achieve your long-term goals, then it could be well worth the temporary discomfort. Dr. Beverly Kaye, a highly regarded expert in career development, shares a few interesting insights on career slingshots:

For many people there’s an unconscious bias about selecting this particular move as a next step in a career. (It’s the old “what will others think?” concern that gets in the way.) Taking a step back or down can be a viable choice, and many who select it and grow from it eventually look back at this as one of the most important turning points (for the better) in their career.

Catapult Your Career

Are you considering a career slingshot? Here are five suggestions to help you with this move:

1. Choose the right kind of role.

Not all slingshot moves are created equal. To make yours successful, the role you step into should fill a specific gap in your skill set or experience that’s essential for where you want to go next. Whether it’s gaining leadership experience, learning a new industry, or developing cross-functional expertise, the move should serve a clear purpose. Assess your current strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself, “What skills or experiences do I need that I can’t get in my current role?” Look for roles that provide those missing pieces.

2. Gain clarity.

Make your slingshot move with your eyes wide open. Understand all the ramifications—from reduced responsibilities, authority and prestige to a diminished bank account. Once you understand how your day-to-day reality will change, re-assess if you’re still willing to go down this road. If yes, make peace with it and move forward with confidence in your decision. (Those considering a big change could benefit from career coaching.)

3. Get excited.

Instead of viewing the job as a compromise or punishment, reframe it as an opportunity—because that’s what it is! Your strategic step back may be giving you the chance to enhance your capabilities, explore your passions, bolster your leadership journey or live a more well-rounded life. Focus on these positives instead of nursing a bruised ego. Don’t let preconceived notions about career progression tarnish what could be an extremely exciting and rewarding stint.

4. Share your reasoning.

If you’re applying for a relatively junior position, be clear about your motivations. Companies are understandably hesitant about applicants who wish to take a step back, worrying that they may soon get bored or quit. Address these concerns during the hiring process and explain how the position fits into your career plan.

5. Push past the fear.

So, you’re convinced that taking a step back is the best thing for your career—but you still can’t bring yourself to do it. After all, it will mean admitting you made a mistake or changed your mind, which can be tough. Plus, what will your peers think? Dr. Beverly shares an all-too-common scenario that leaves people stuck in joyless jobs:

An example I’ve seen repeatedly is the competent technical specialist who accepts a managerial promotion and then realizes he/she misses that technical work and is simply not comfortable (nor very effective) in the role of leading others. Admitting this to oneself is half the battle—talking about and calling attention to the misalignment is not easy. Imagine the number of talented people who suffer in silence because this admission is so difficult.

A career driven by fear almost always leads to unhappiness. Stop trying to “stick it out” in a role or industry where your personal aspirations remain unfulfilled. What’s the point of growing in a direction that doesn’t align with your own inner compass? Let go of rigid notions and carve out your own pathway for progression.

Taking a step back can sometimes be exactly what you need to move forward. Much like a slingshot, a strategic pullback creates sufficient momentum to leap further ahead. By giving you access to the expertise, projects or connections you seek, a slingshot more can enrich your professional life and set you on the right track for future career advancement.