Weak Ties

Weak ties are acquaintances and loose connections — people you know but don't interact with frequently. Sociologist Mark Granovetter showed that weak ties often deliver new job leads and information because they move in circles you don't.

Strong ties (close friends, daily colleagues) provide emotional support and deep trust but overlap your information sources. Weak ties bridge clusters. Connectors on your board are professional weak-tie cultivators at scale.

Nurture weak ties with low-friction updates, congratulations on promotions, and specific asks — not mass LinkedIn spam. After an intro, strengthen the tie with follow-through so the bridge doesn't collapse. On your personal board, treat Connectors as curators of weak ties — but you still own the thank-you note and the outcome report that makes them willing to intro again.