Hexagram 31 Influence (Wooing) Career Meaning

Career Meaning

Interpersonal influence and the art of persuasion.

What this page covers

  • Hexagram 31 Influence (Wooing) career meaning
  • The practical judgment for this aspect
  • Actions to take and risks to avoid

How To Choose

Choose the entry that matches your question first: overall for the broad trend, career for work decisions, love for relationship questions, and wealth for money matters.

Wisdom

Success comes from sincere engagement and the ability to attract others to your vision.

Strategic Persuasion

Influence in the workplace operates much like the courtship described in the hexagram's imagery. To advance, you must attract opportunities rather than forcing them. This requires a deep understanding of the needs and motivations of your clients or management. By demonstrating that your success aligns with their benefit, you create a natural gravitational pull that favors your career progression.

Collaborative Dynamics

The trigram of Lake (Joy) resting upon Mountain (Stillness) defines your ideal professional demeanor. You should be the calm, immovable force of stability (Mountain) while maintaining a pleasant and responsive attitude (Lake). This combination makes you a reliable yet approachable leader or team member, encouraging others to follow your lead willingly because they feel supported and understood.

Role Progression

The lines of Hexagram 31 depict influence moving from the toes to the head, symbolizing the step-by-step nature of career growth. Do not rush; premature movement (as warned in the second line) leads to misfortune. Start with small, foundational tasks and gradually build your influence. Avoid the trap of the third line—blindly following others—which leads to humiliation. Instead, focus your mind (fourth line) on your specific goals to ensure your influence is intentional.

Communication Risks

The greatest risk in this hexagram appears in the top line, where influence manifests in the 'jaws, cheeks, and tongue.' In a career context, this warns against relying on smooth talk, flattery, or superficial networking without substance. If your influence is only skin-deep and lacks the foundation of actual skill or intent, your professional reputation will crumble. Ensure your words are always backed by action.

A thought arises, a world unfolds. Continue on Yinsight.

Start Dialogue

The Six Lines

Six at the beginning

The influence shows itself in the big toe.

Six in the second place

The influence shows itself in the calves of the legs. Misfortune. Tarrying brings good fortune.

Nine in the third place

The influence shows itself in the thighs. Holds to that which follows it. To continue is humiliating.

Nine in the fourth place

Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. If a man is agitated in mind, and his thoughts go hither and thither, only those friends on whom he fixes his conscious thoughts will follow him.

Nine in the fifth place

The influence shows itself in the back of the neck. No remorse.

Six at the top

The influence shows itself in the jaws, cheeks, and tongue.