Long tail, weak ties
Okay, say you’re working somewhere in middleish management.
Your boss asks you to recommend someone for a position.
Two people come to mind – one is your best friend, the other is a mate from uni who you see once or twice a year.
Hire your best friend and things could be great – lunch buddies etc. But what if you end up spending so much time together at work that you never hang out otherwise?
What if she gets promoted quicker than you? How will that affect the dynamic?
What if she gets along with your boss better than you do?
Now, take the other one….
You’re not the best of friends anyway.
If things go south between you on a personal level it’s not going to really bother you THAT much.
On the other hand, things might work out well and you end up becoming better friends than you ever were.
Acquaintances get you jobs better than friends because there’s less at stake.
**Interviewed source