The Strength Of Weak Ties

“Your weak ties connect you to networks that are outside of your own circle,” explained Granovetter in a 2022 interview. “They give you information and ideas that you otherwise would not have gotten.”

https://lnkd.in/g2v_Kn6j

Did you know this theory dating back to 1973 was tested by scientists using the LinkedIn "People You May Know" algorithm?

5 years
20 million people
2 billion new ties
600 new jobs

https://lnkd.in/gyYVmZcE

The strength of weak ties is interesting to explore as an entrepreneur as well as a job seeker:

"Let’s say we are looking to break our product or service into a new market. Our close ties may have a few leads to point us to, but the opportunity will be limited because it is likely we know or have ties to most of the same people and companies. Although some of these connections may be interested in hearing more, it is likely you and this contact will share limited new information. A loose-tie contact (or acquaintance), on the other hand, may have plenty of new information. They may give you a varied perspective on the usefulness or context of your product or service given the lesser-known lens they view it from. When they feel less personally connected, they may offer more authentic feedback on your pitch or sales angle. Finally, they may connect you with an expanded network that does not overlap with your current social and professional network."

https://lnkd.in/g4DzqXc2

When I met with David Burkus to interview him for my podcast, he talked about his book A Friend of a Friend, which is based on this theory.

This is what he told me about that book, which he calls his favourite.

"That is the book. that I get the least amount of follow -up work with, like organizations don't really call me about "A Friend of a Friend" because why would you want to invite someone into  train your people, how to be better networkers so they can get better jobs  somewhere else? So I get it, I understand it. But it is the book that I get the most amount of personal emails and messages on LinkedIn and what have 
you about right so it's very it's like a personally meaningful book even if it 
didn't transform organizations the way I wanted it to."

https://lnkd.in/gXfwxGXc

The thing is, the strength of weak ties is really useful for remote work and breaking down silos. Don't limit yourself.

One of my favourite books by Damon Centola, "Change: How To Make Big Things Happen," also looks at how network science impacts change.

When I ask you to spread the word about my work at NolaSimon.com, I'm asking because the science supports that it's the best way to connect to the organizations looking for my help.

Will you help me do big things?