A few days ago, I came across a video online where a woman offered career advice. One of her points stuck with me:
“Stay in your lane, work hard, and focus on your craft.”
I’ve heard this phrase since childhood. But that day, it bugged me more than ever because I realized that “stay in your lane” might be the worst career advice I’ve ever received.
On the surface, it sounds noble: stay focused, avoid distractions, master your area of expertise. But in reality, depending on who says it, when they say it, and how you internalize it, this phrase can become a cage that limits your potential.
Why “Stay in Your Lane” Can Be Dangerous
“Stay in your lane” is usually meant to keep you humble and focused. But it can quietly stop you from:
- Exploring new interests
- Acquiring complementary skills
- Taking bold career risks
When you stay too strictly in one lane, you risk missing out on opportunities to innovate and grow. Research supports this: a study from the Harvard Business Review found that professionals with interdisciplinary experience are often better problem-solvers and more adaptable leaders.
The greatest innovators did everything but stay in their lanes.
- Leonardo da Vinci was both a painter and a scientist.
- Steve Jobs applied calligraphy lessons to Apple’s design aesthetic.
- Even David Beckham, whose coach famously wanted him to “stick to football,” became a global icon precisely because he didn’t stay in just one lane.
My Story: From Law to Psychology
I remember telling a colleague that I was studying psychology while working in law.
She looked at me and said:
“That sounds like a useless move.”
That was the moment I knew I was on the right path. Because growth often looks foolish to those who are committed to convention.
Studying psychology has been one of the most valuable decisions of my career:
- It has sharpened my insight into human behaviour.
- It has made me a better listener and decision-maker.
- It has given me compassion for victims, offenders, and everyone navigating the justice system.
Far from being a distraction, psychology has made me a better legal professional, and, I’d argue, a better human being.
The Case Against Narrow Specialization
Specialization has its place. It helps you build expertise and credibility. But taken too far, it can create tunnel vision. Narrow lanes can prevent you from seeing the bigger picture or finding creative solutions.
A 2020 MIT Sloan study found that cross-disciplinary learning promotes more innovative ideas and makes leaders more resilient in times of change
The future belongs to bridge-builders, the people who can integrate disciplines, connect dots, and innovate across boundaries.
The Trade-offs Are Worth It
Crossing lanes isn’t always easy.
- You might feel like a beginner again.
- You might face scepticism from colleagues.
- You might even take a pay cut for a while.
But if you have a clear long-term vision, these trade-offs become investments and not setbacks.
Comfort is a beautiful garden, but careers don’t grow there.
A Call to Action
If you’re hesitating to take a leap, i.e. to learn a new skill, pursue a new degree, or explore an entirely new field, I do hope you look past fear, perfectionism, and comfort.
The opportunities are vast, the rewards greater, and there is really only one wrong move:
Standing still.
Your Turn
💬 What’s a skill outside your lane that completely transformed how you lead or make decisions?
Share it in the comments — you might inspire someone else to take that leap.
References
- Harvard Business Review (2019). Why Cross-Functional Collaboration is Critical.
- MIT Sloan Management Review (2020). Why Interdisciplinary Thinkers Will Rule the Future of Work.
- Grant, A. (2021). Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know. Viking.
