What type of relationship exists between staff on the same horizontal level?

A lateral relationship describes the interaction and connection between staff members at the same level within an organization's hierarchy. This type of relationship is characterized by collaboration, communication, and teamwork among peers, as individuals work together to achieve common goals or projects without the influence of a hierarchical structure. In a workplace, lateral relationships can enhance coordination, foster peer support, and contribute to a cohesive work environment.

This relationship contrasts with functional relationships, which involve connections based on specialized roles and responsibilities that might not necessarily occur on the same level of hierarchy. Staff relationships might imply a more general connection that doesn't specify the nature of the interactions, while informal relationships pertain to personal connections that exist outside of official organizational structures. Therefore, the identification of a lateral relationship accurately captures the dynamics between colleagues who share the same rank within the organization.