I know many people will tell you making a sideways move within your current company is not the best move you can make and you shouldn't move unless it is upwards.

For those of you who have read my book 'Mind The Gap' or my second book 'Small steps to culture and value', you'll know that I don't hold with this, too often used, advice. I believe that often these sideways moves can be great opportunities for you to build your experience and knowledge-base prior to the eventual upward move.

Rather than being something to be avoided many bigger firms prefer their rising stars to broaden their experience before significant promotions. This isn't just true for big business either, the same is true, perhaps more so, for the SME. It was certainly true in the armed forces and during my army career, promotion to senior positions were often awarded to those who had a wide baseline of experience to call upon.

It was good to see that this week the Harvard Business Review was saying the same. Moving sideways should be part of your own medium or long term leadership strategy. It's also a must have when looking internally for those to develop as part of your succession planning.