Executive I Ching
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Executive I Ching
Michael Colmer's attempt to map the ancient I Ching onto the terrain of corporate strategy is ambitious, and at times, surprisingly effective. The strength of Executive I Ching lies in its disciplined focus; by eschewing purely divinatory readings for a strategic interpretation, Colmer carves out a unique niche. The re-contextualization of hexagrams like 'The Family' (49) into patterns of organizational change offers a fresh perspective on familiar archetypes. However, the book occasionally strains to fit the I Ching's profound cyclical philosophy into the linear progression often demanded by business scenarios. The interpretation of 'The Wanderer' (36) as a "loss of reputation" feels somewhat reductive of the hexagram's broader implications of inner resilience during difficult times. Despite this, the work provides a compelling argument for viewing leadership challenges through a more nuanced, systemic lens.
Executive I Ching offers a pragmatic, if sometimes over-simplified, approach to applying ancient wisdom to modern leadership.
📝 Description
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Published in 1987, Executive I Ching applies the ancient Chinese divination text to modern business strategy.
Michael Colmer's 1987 book, Executive I Ching, reinterprets the classic Chinese text for contemporary business leaders. Colmer moves beyond viewing the I Ching's hexagrams as mere prophecy, instead presenting them as models for strategic thought and understanding organizational dynamics. The work directly addresses professional challenges by applying the I Ching's core principles of change, balance, and consequence.
This book is written for managers, consultants, and anyone involved in strategic planning who seeks alternative methods for insight. It will appeal to individuals interested in the practical use of esoteric systems for secular issues, particularly within corporate settings. Those familiar with Eastern thought or looking to enrich their decision-making skills beyond standard business literature will find this approach valuable.
Colmer's work emerged during the 1980s, a time of growing Western interest in Eastern philosophies and their applications. The book aligns with a broader trend of integrating ancient concepts with modern scientific and organizational theories. Its unique contribution is its specific focus on the executive decision-making process.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text with roots dating back thousands of years. It is considered one of the oldest of the Chinese classics. Its core philosophy centers on the dynamic interplay of yin and yang forces, which manifest in 64 hexagrams. These hexagrams represent fundamental archetypes and patterns of change that can be observed in the natural world and human affairs. Traditionally used for divination and philosophical reflection, the I Ching offers a complex system for understanding cyclical processes and the nature of transformation.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain a unique strategic framework by understanding how the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching can be reinterpreted as archetypal business scenarios, a concept uniquely explored in Colmer's 1987 text. • Develop a nuanced approach to decision-making by learning to identify patterns of change and consequence, mirroring the I Ching's emphasis on dynamic forces as presented within the book. • Enhance your understanding of organizational dynamics through the lens of ancient Chinese philosophy, applying principles like 'The Creative' (Qian) and 'The Receptive' (Kun) to professional challenges.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary difference between Executive I Ching and traditional I Ching readings?
Executive I Ching shifts the focus from personal divination to strategic analysis. While traditional readings might seek guidance on personal matters, Colmer's work applies the hexagrams as models for understanding complex business situations and executive decision-making.
Can Executive I Ching be used for actual business forecasting?
The book suggests using the I Ching as a tool for insight and strategic thinking rather than direct forecasting. It offers frameworks for understanding potential dynamics and consequences of decisions, not predictive outcomes.
Who is Michael Colmer and what is his background?
Michael Colmer authored Executive I Ching, published in 1987. While specific biographical details are scarce, his work indicates a deep engagement with both Eastern philosophical traditions and modern business practices.
What are some of the key hexagrams discussed in Executive I Ching?
Key hexagrams include 'The Creative' (Qian) interpreted as assertive leadership, 'The Receptive' (Kun) as supportive structures, and 'The Wanderer' (36) discussed in relation to reputation management.
Is Executive I Ching suitable for someone with no prior knowledge of the I Ching?
Yes, the book aims to make the I Ching accessible to a new audience. Colmer reinterprets the core principles in a business context, providing explanations that may be easier for newcomers to grasp than traditional interpretations.
What era does Executive I Ching draw its core philosophy from?
The book draws its core philosophy from the I Ching, an ancient Chinese text with origins dating back thousands of years, reinterpreted through a modern business lens in 1987.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Hexagrams as Archetypes
Colmer recontextualizes the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, traditionally used for divination, as archetypal situations relevant to the modern executive. Each hexagram is presented not as a prophecy, but as a model for understanding recurring patterns in leadership, team dynamics, and strategic challenges. This approach shifts the focus from passive reception of omens to active analysis of situational archetypes, enabling leaders to recognize similar patterns in their own professional environments and to respond with greater awareness and foresight.
The Philosophy of Change
Central to Executive I Ching is the ancient Taoist concept of constant flux, embodied by the I Ching's dynamic nature. The book emphasizes that effective leadership requires understanding and adapting to change, rather than resisting it. Colmer highlights how the principles of Yin and Yang, represented within the hexagrams' changing lines, illustrate the interconnectedness of opposing forces and the inevitability of transformation. This perspective encourages leaders to embrace fluidity and to view challenges not as static obstacles but as opportunities for strategic evolution.
Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks
Beyond strategy, Executive I Ching implicitly addresses the ethical dimensions of executive action. By framing decisions within the context of cosmic order and natural cycles, the work encourages a consideration of consequences that extend beyond immediate profit. The responsible application of 'The Creative' (Qian) or reading through the challenges presented by 'The Wanderer' (36) involves an ethical awareness of one's impact on the organization and its stakeholders, aligning practical business acumen with a broader sense of order and responsibility.
Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Practice
The enduring appeal of Executive I Ching lies in its successful integration of a millennia-old philosophical system with the demands of 20th and 21st-century corporate life. Published in 1987, the work anticipated a growing trend of seeking holistic approaches to management. Colmer's reinterpretation provides a bridge for those interested in esoteric traditions but seeking practical, secular applications, demonstrating that ancient insights can offer profound guidance for contemporary professional challenges.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The hexagrams are not predictions, but maps of recurring situations.”
— This statement expresses Colmer's core thesis: the I Ching serves as a diagnostic tool for understanding the underlying dynamics of a situation, rather than a fortune-telling device. It emphasizes analytical application over passive prophecy.
“Adaptability is the hallmark of sustained leadership.”
— Echoing the I Ching's emphasis on change, this interpretation highlights the practical necessity for leaders to remain flexible and responsive to evolving circumstances, a key tenet for navigating complex business environments.
“Recognizing the pattern is the first step to mastering the challenge.”
— This points to the diagnostic power of the I Ching as presented in the book. By identifying the archetypal situation represented by a hexagram, one gains clarity on the forces at play and potential avenues for action.
“The balance of opposing forces is essential for organizational health.”
— This interpretation draws from the Yin/Yang duality inherent in the I Ching, applying it to the need for equilibrium between different elements within a business, such as innovation and stability, or individual drive and collective effort.
“Inner clarity precedes effective external action.”
— This suggests that before making strategic moves, a leader must achieve a clear understanding of the situation and their own position within it, a principle often reflected in the more introspective aspects of I Ching readings.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
Executive I Ching draws primarily from the venerable tradition of the I Ching, a core part of Chinese philosophy and divination with roots stretching back millennia. While not strictly a Western Hermetic text, its application of a symbolic system to understand universal patterns of change and order aligns with Hermetic principles of 'As Above, So Below'. Colmer's work departs from traditional Chinese scholarship by secularizing its application, focusing on organizational strategy rather than personal spiritual development or historical divination, thus creating a unique synthesis.
Symbolism
The central symbols are the 64 hexagrams, each composed of six stacked lines (broken Yin or solid Yang). Colmer reinterprets these as archetypal situations in business, such as 'The Creative' (Qian) representing forceful initiative or 'The Receptive' (Kun) symbolizing supportive structures. The changing lines within a hexagram are used to signify the dynamic shifts and potential turning points within a strategic scenario, emphasizing that no situation is static.
Modern Relevance
Colmer's approach finds resonance today in fields exploring systems thinking, organizational psychology, and the application of philosophical frameworks to leadership. Modern consultants and thinkers who advocate for holistic decision-making, pattern recognition in complex systems (akin to Nassim Nicholas Taleb's work on randomness), or the integration of mindfulness and ancient wisdom into corporate culture can find a precursor in Executive I Ching's innovative synthesis.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Business leaders and managers seeking unconventional tools for strategic analysis and decision-making, particularly those interested in applying philosophical frameworks beyond standard business texts. • Students and practitioners of comparative philosophy and esoteric traditions interested in the practical, secular applications of ancient systems like the I Ching in modern contexts. • Consultants and organizational development specialists looking for novel ways to frame organizational challenges and facilitate strategic planning sessions for their clients.
📜 Historical Context
Michael Colmer's Executive I Ching, first published in 1987, emerged during a period of burgeoning interest in integrating Eastern philosophies with Western business practices. The late 1980s saw a growing wave of popularization for concepts like strategic thinking, quality management, and cross-cultural understanding, influenced by Japanese business models and a general openness to alternative worldviews. While thinkers like Peter Drucker were revolutionizing management theory, Colmer's work offered a distinctly esoteric, yet practical, approach. The book participated in a broader intellectual current that sought wisdom beyond purely rational-economic frameworks, drawing parallels between the cyclical philosophy of the I Ching and the dynamic nature of global markets. It distinguished itself by specifically targeting the executive suite, providing a unique application of ancient Chinese wisdom to contemporary corporate challenges, a departure from more generalized self-help or philosophical texts.
📔 Journal Prompts
The archetype of 'The Creative' (Qian) as applied to initiating a new project.
Reflecting on the balance of 'The Receptive' (Kun) within your team's structure.
Identifying a current business challenge through the lens of a specific hexagram.
The role of change, as depicted by changing lines, in a recent strategic decision.
Ethical considerations when applying 'The Wanderer' (36) to a professional situation.
🗂️ Glossary
Hexagram
A symbol composed of six stacked lines, either solid (Yang) or broken (Yin), used in the I Ching. Colmer interprets each of the 64 hexagrams as an archetypal situation relevant to business strategy.
Yang
Represented by a solid line (—), symbolizing active, creative, masculine, or assertive energy in the I Ching philosophy. In business terms, it can relate to initiative and driving force.
Yin
Represented by a broken line (- -), symbolizing receptive, yielding, feminine, or supportive energy. In a business context, it relates to adaptability, structure, and nurturing.
Changing Lines
Specific lines within a hexagram that indicate a transition or a shift in energy. Colmer uses these to highlight points of potential change or critical junctures in a business scenario.
Qian (The Creative)
The first hexagram, represented by six solid Yang lines. Colmer interprets this as the archetype of powerful, assertive leadership and creative initiation in a business context.
Kun (The Receptive)
The second hexagram, represented by six broken Yin lines. It is interpreted as the archetype of receptivity, support, and grounded structure, crucial for organizational stability.
Archetype
In this context, a recurring pattern or model of a situation, character, or theme. Colmer applies archetypal theory to the hexagrams, viewing them as universal scenarios applicable to business.
