Your Key to Success Isn't More Luck or Hard Work

Research from economist Raj Chetty analyzing 21 billion Facebook friendships found that having economically diverse acquaintances—not hard work or luck—is the strongest predictor of income mobility, with children who grow up with high economic connectedness earning 20% more as adults. Weak ties and occasional contacts, rather than close friends, are most valuable for job opportunities and career advancement, yet most people invest far more time optimizing their work habits than deliberately building diverse networks.