--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties…" description: "\"“Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties serve as bridges: they provide more efficient access to new information. Our strong ties tend to travel in th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/adam-m-grant-1427_social-circle_strong-ties-provide-bonds-but-weak-ties_2731058.jpg" --- # Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties serve as bridges… ![“Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties serve as bridges: they provide more efficient access to new information. Our strong ties tend to travel in the same social circles and know about the same opportunities as we do. Weak ties are more likely to open up access to a different network…” quote by Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/adam-m-grant-1427_social-circle_strong-ties-provide-bonds-but-weak-ties_2731058.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/adam-m-grant-1427_social-circle_strong-ties-provide-bonds-but-weak-ties_2731058.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67a/adam-m-grant-1427_social-circle_strong-ties-provide-bonds-but-weak-ties_2731058.jpg) > ““Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties serve as bridges: they provide more efficient access to new information. Our strong ties tend to travel in the same social circles and know about the same opportunities as we do. Weak ties are more likely to open up access to a different network, facilitating the discovery of original leads.”” [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Weak social connections act as bridges to new information, while strong ties stay within familiar circles. **In simple terms:** Weak ties give fresh ideas; strong ties repeat what you know. Key Takeaway Cultivate diverse relationships. Themes networking information flow social capital Mood curious strategic Type advisory analytical When to use this quote - job search - entrepreneurial brainstorming - career mentorship Key Concepts Bridge theory Granovetter’s strength of weak ties Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance strong and weak ties? - What new opportunities could a weak tie reveal? A Different Perspective Relying solely on weak ties can lead to shallow connections lacking depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bonds Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bonds-weak-2955504/) [Social Circle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-circle/) [Strong Ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-ties-1035245/) [Ties Provide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ties-provide-2955500/) [Ties Tend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ties-tend-2955502/) [Weak Ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak-ties-2955498/) ## Related quotes > [“strength of weak ties”: the idea that each of us has strong ties with some people and weak ties with others we’d call acquaintances—and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-horowitz/strength-of-weak-ties-the-idea-that-each-of-us-has-strong-ties-with/) [Sara Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-horowitz/) > [“…when it comes to finding out about new jobs - or, for that matter, new information, or new ideas - "weak ties" are always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-granovetter/when-it-comes-to-finding-out-about-new-jobs-or-for-that-matter-new/) [Mark Granovetter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-granovetter/) > [“Dormant ties offer the access to novel information that weak ties afford, but without the discomfort”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/dormant-ties-offer-the-access-to-novel-information-that-weak-ties/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [By cultivating rich social networks, by cultivating weak ties, not just close ties but the weak ties, by becoming connectors and by connecting others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-silva/by-cultivating-rich-social-networks-by-cultivating-weak-ties-not-just/) [Jason Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-silva/) > [My mom still lives in Denver and some of my brothers are still in the area, so I still have strong ties there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrell-davis/my-mom-still-lives-in-denver-and-some-of-my-brothers-are-still-in-the/) [Terrell Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrell-davis/) > [I am a personal advocate of strong ties between India and Israel, so I am very happy to see that our relations are progressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushma-swaraj/i-am-a-personal-advocate-of-strong-ties-between-india-and-israel-so-i/) [Sushma Swaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushma-swaraj/) > [Democracy does not create strong ties between people. But it does make living together easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/democracy-does-not-create-strong-ties-between-people-but-it-does-make/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [“But not all places are the same. If a church is located in suburbia, where families are the predominant social circle, then church-growth ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verlon-fosner/but-not-all-places-are-the-same-if-a-church-is-located-in-suburbia/) [Verlon Fosner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verlon-fosner/) > [That's been one of the best things about doing 'Game of Thrones.' My social circle in London has more or less doubled just by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-dempsie/that-s-been-one-of-the-best-things-about-doing-game-of-thrones-my/) [Joe Dempsie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-dempsie/) > [It seems I am more beloved on a reality show from an extended cable network than I am in social circles in my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/it-seems-i-am-more-beloved-on-a-reality-show-from-an-extended-cable/) [Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/) > [In those of us who have the mysterious ability to amuse others, it is usually the case that even before we were aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/in-those-of-us-who-have-the-mysterious-ability-to-amuse-others-it-is/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [“Why do we accept this one-size-fits-all situation as a given when we know perfectly well that adults don’t organize themselves this way? We often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/why-do-we-accept-this-one-size-fits-all-situation-as-a-given-when-we/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [“While paying attention to the messages in its public spaces, Christianity also wisely recognizes the extent to which our concepts of good and bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/while-paying-attention-to-the-messages-in-its-public-spaces/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [I always had overlapping social circles with different ideological groups and different activist groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-katharine-ham/i-always-had-overlapping-social-circles-with-different-ideological/) [Mary Katharine Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-katharine-ham/) > [There are certain directors who just don't cast diversely in prominent roles. Ever. Often it's just because they don't have a diverse social circle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-t-fagbenle/there-are-certain-directors-who-just-don-t-cast-diversely-in/) [O. T. Fagbenle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-t-fagbenle/) ## More by Adam M. Grant > [“the higher the psychological safety in a unit, the fewer errors they made. Why? In the units that lacked psychological safety, health care professionals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/the-higher-the-psychological-safety-in-a-unit-the-fewer-errors-they/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“And in the long run, research shows that the mistakes we regret are not errors of commission, but errors of omission. If we could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/and-in-the-long-run-research-shows-that-the-mistakes-we-regret-are/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“Although many successful givers start from the default of trusting others’ intentions, they’re also careful to scan their environments to screen for potential takers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/although-many-successful-givers-start-from-the-default-of-trusting/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“I want to debunk the myth that originality requires extreme risk taking and persuade you that originals are actually far more ordinary than we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/i-want-to-debunk-the-myth-that-originality-requires-extreme-risk/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“the change of context brought renewed energy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/the-change-of-context-brought-renewed-energy/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“I was dismayed to discover that even today, speaking while female remains notoriously difficult. Across cultures, there’s a rich body of evidence showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/i-was-dismayed-to-discover-that-even-today-speaking-while-female/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“Setting high expectations is so important,” Skender says. “You have to push people, make them stretch and do more than they think possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/setting-high-expectations-is-so-important-skender-says-you-have-to/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“analysts were more likely to maintain their star performance if they worked with high-quality colleagues in their teams and departments. The star analysts relied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/analysts-were-more-likely-to-maintain-their-star-performance-if-they/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“Speak softly, but carry a big stick. —Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. president”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/speak-softly-but-carry-a-big-stick-theodore-roosevelt-u-s-president/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“Talented people are attracted to those who care about them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/talented-people-are-attracted-to-those-who-care-about-them/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“When our audiences are skeptical, the more we try to dominate them, the more they resist. Even with a receptive audience, dominance is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/when-our-audiences-are-skeptical-the-more-we-try-to-dominate-them-the/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“Whereas success is zero-sum in a group of takers, in groups of givers, it may be true that the whole is greater than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/whereas-success-is-zero-sum-in-a-group-of-takers-in-groups-of-givers/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“Tim Long adds that “there’s something magical about getting the reputation as someone who cares about others more than yourself. It redounds to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/tim-long-adds-that-there-s-something-magical-about-getting-the/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“In a classic experiment, when people received help from one peer, they were more likely to give help to another peer, matching by following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/in-a-classic-experiment-when-people-received-help-from-one-peer-they/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/a-new-scientific-truth-does-not-triumph-by-convincing-its-opponents/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) [Explore all 241 Adam M. Grant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) ## More Social Circle quotes > [There are certain directors who just don't cast diversely in prominent roles. Ever. Often it's just because they don't have a diverse social circle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-t-fagbenle/there-are-certain-directors-who-just-don-t-cast-diversely-in/) [O. T. Fagbenle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-t-fagbenle/) > [I always had overlapping social circles with different ideological groups and different activist groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-katharine-ham/i-always-had-overlapping-social-circles-with-different-ideological/) [Mary Katharine Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-katharine-ham/) > [“While paying attention to the messages in its public spaces, Christianity also wisely recognizes the extent to which our concepts of good and bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/while-paying-attention-to-the-messages-in-its-public-spaces/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [“Why do we accept this one-size-fits-all situation as a given when we know perfectly well that adults don’t organize themselves this way? We often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/why-do-we-accept-this-one-size-fits-all-situation-as-a-given-when-we/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [It seems I am more beloved on a reality show from an extended cable network than I am in social circles in my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/it-seems-i-am-more-beloved-on-a-reality-show-from-an-extended-cable/) [Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/) > [That's been one of the best things about doing 'Game of Thrones.' My social circle in London has more or less doubled just by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-dempsie/that-s-been-one-of-the-best-things-about-doing-game-of-thrones-my/) [Joe Dempsie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-dempsie/) > [“But not all places are the same. If a church is located in suburbia, where families are the predominant social circle, then church-growth ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verlon-fosner/but-not-all-places-are-the-same-if-a-church-is-located-in-suburbia/) [Verlon Fosner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verlon-fosner/) > [In those of us who have the mysterious ability to amuse others, it is usually the case that even before we were aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/in-those-of-us-who-have-the-mysterious-ability-to-amuse-others-it-is/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [“social media addict? This is a very real problem—so much so that researchers from Norway developed a new instrument to measure Facebook addiction called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-leaf/social-media-addict-this-is-a-very-real-problem-so-much-so-that/) [Caroline Leaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-leaf/) > [I do realise I need to expand my social circle so I can meet more people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaani-kapoor/i-do-realise-i-need-to-expand-my-social-circle-so-i-can-meet-more/) [Vaani Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaani-kapoor/) > [I didn't have that normal teenage period when you build up your friends in your area and you have a social circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-didn-t-have-that-normal-teenage-period-when-you-build-up-your/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [“Our life is like a journey…’ – and so the journey seems to me less an adventure and a foray into unusual realms than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annemarie-schwarzenbach/our-life-is-like-a-journey-and-so-the-journey-seems-to-me-less-an/) [Annemarie Schwarzenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annemarie-schwarzenbach/) > [Keep in mind that to avoid loneliness, many people need both a social circle and an intimate attachment. 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Starbucks cards she’d never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newport/weeks-it-was-the-same-stuff-every-year-santa-mugs-filled-with-candy/) [Olivia Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newport/) [Browse all 61 Social Circle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-circle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Strong ties provide bonds, but weak ties serve as bridges: they provide more efficient access to new information. Our strong ties tend to travel in the same social circles and know about the same opportunities as we do. Weak ties are more likely to open up access to a different network, facilitating the discovery of original leads.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Adam M. 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