‘Weak Ties’—Why Your Distant Acquaintances Matter More Than You Think

When jobseekers are asked, 'How did you hear about this position?', the answer is usually not their best friend, but a friend-of-a-friend or an old classmate—someone on the edge of their social circle. Social scientists have shown that these 'weak ties' are the hidden superhighways for information, opportunities, and innovation. Close contacts tend to move in the same circles, know the same people, and share the same news. It's those loose connections—the one you last talked to at a cousin's wedding, or the person you bonded with in a single group project—that bridge different communities and bring unexpected leads to your doorstep.

In large studies of hiring patterns and the spread of trends, researchers found over and over that weak ties, not strong ones, are what move valuable information around. 'Strong ties' provide emotional support, but weak ties create access to fresh ideas, jobs, or activities. Students, professionals, and creative teams all benefit when they reach out beyond their usual circle, especially when taking on new challenges or seeking new perspectives.

You don’t need hundreds of weak ties to see the effect. Even a handful can open doors or provide missing links. This is why, whenever you’re feeling stuck, it often pays to think ‘outside’ your circle—literally.

Today, browse your contacts and pick someone you haven’t messaged in a while—a distant teammate, a vague classmate, or a colleague from way back. Send a quick note to check in, ask a question, or share an update. Notice the ideas or opportunities that appear—sometimes a single weak tie can bring a burst of inspiration or a missing puzzle piece. Give it a try and see where the new connections lead.