Innovation is a deeply social pursuit, and often serendipitous

During lockdown, most of us have kept in touch with ‘strong ties’ (close relationships) but have been entirely cut off from ‘weak ties’ (casual acquaintances – baristas, fellow train passengers, colleagues with whom we don’t work directly).

Right now, most businesses are focused on maintaining productivity during quarantine, but this article by Carlo Ratti, a director of MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, highlights how a mass shift towards remote working presents bigger problems for innovation and creativity.

Our close friends are often – understandably – quite similar to us. We have friends in common, values in common, and perspectives in common. But we do not choose our weak ties, so they are much more varied. This is crucial. In Ratti’s words, “by bridging different social circles, weak ties are more likely to connect us with new ideas and perspectives, challenging our preconceptions.”

It’s through these critical, often serendipitous encounters with our ‘weak ties’ that innovation is fostered and diffused. So far, this is a problem that business has yet to solve.