Weak Ties Spark the Biggest Opportunities
You’ve probably spent months leaning on your closest friends—your urban tribe—talking about the same struggles and dreams. But those strong ties can’t lead you outside their shared bubble. Imagine instead texting a teammate you barely knew in high school. You ask, “Hey, saw on LinkedIn you joined that tech startup—could we catch up?” Over cold brew, she mentions an opening you’d never have heard about. That one weak tie changed the course of your career. It feels risky to reach out, but it’s also low stakes: a short call, a few pointed questions, and the chance for a fresh perspective in your life.
When you talk to weak ties, you tap into new networks and ideas the urban tribe just can’t offer. Unlike your best friends, they don’t share the same assumptions, so you’re forced to explain your vision more clearly. That process sharpens your ideas and uncovers paths you didn’t know existed.
Pick ten people you barely stay in touch with, send them a quick message to reconnect over coffee or video, and ask two smart questions about their work or life—no vague “How’s it going?” but targeted interest in their expertise. You’ll learn something fresh, expand your world, and maybe land opportunities you never dreamed of—give it a try this week.
What You'll Achieve
Internally, you’ll build confidence in reaching beyond your comfort zone. Externally, you’ll unlock new job leads, mentorships, or collaborations through people you’d otherwise never approach.
Expand Your Network Intentionally
List casual contacts
Make a list of ten acquaintances—former classmates, neighbors, distant coworkers—you haven’t talked with recently but could reach out to.
Set up mini meetings
Send a brief message requesting a 15-minute coffee chat or video call, framing it as an opportunity to catch up and learn about their current work or interests.
Prepare thoughtful questions
Research each person’s field or recent role and craft two questions about their experiences—this shows genuine interest and opens doors to new information and referrals.
Reflection Questions
- Who have I lost touch with who could offer new perspectives?
- What specific outcome do I hope for from a 15-minute catch-up?
- How can I frame my request to show genuine curiosity?
- What’s the worst that could happen if they don’t reply?
- When will I block time this week to reach out to these contacts?
Personalization Tips
- A graphic designer messages an old college peer now working in marketing to learn about in-house design roles.
- A teacher connects with a neighbor who’s a local nonprofit director, leading to a mid-career invitation to serve on a board.
- A medical student asks a family friend in biopharma for insights into clinical trial processes, sparking internship leads.
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