AainaA

Someone has recently asked me … an acquaintance on Facebook. What I do for a living? How do I earn my money? Now that’s a bit too personal don’t you think? If we’re having an emotional relationship, the guy would know everything – transparency would be the key word. Maybe if he’s at my beck and call 20/24.

Where designation plays a role in today’s society and labels more important than knowledge or experiences, I could easily be a social worker; social media activist; a magician… a witch doctor; a networker; Prime Minister; First Lady; or an agent {Langley would like it though I can’t imagine Mossad would}; a Politician; disengaged – unemployed; a Consultant; a Guru; a temptress through being a Goddess.

I could also be your sister, your mother, your girlfriend … to the one recently bombed into smithereens’; the victim who was punched in the streets just because she wore a veil or wear an Ankh, to the tramp in the other street favouring pleasure over being ousted out from her home… to the teacher you hated because yes, I did give a damn, and the beggar in the street.

I do not have to justify it, nor blog about it but the truth is bitterer than the fantasies I’d have painted even for you. I’d rather then, have “Social Slut” printed underneath my name. I’d do everything for others for free, giving tips, ideas, I blog about this and that – I complaint {without end and without shame anymore… not because I like doing so} about the ignominious services in Malaysia hoping that the Government would do something about it; I … rail and rant and just maybe, someone would pay me for all that trouble in the end.

People judge me, and then decide NOT to hire me because I’m as transparent as a cellophane, and bloody hell, people still think that just because they feel they can twist me around their little fingers, attempt to undermine my good efforts in not giving them nightmares. If working means earning ‘money’, than I am unemployed — but employed does not necessarily mean one actually take to tasks.

Darlings, I have been in the rat race for such a long time {albeit longer than your parents did}, I do know who can and cannot work, who does it well, and who bluffs thinking the world is blind – hoping they can get away with murder, if the case maybe.

I do have a secret that can literally maim them or their families for all eternity, striking first at the foundation where they most likely would feel complacent and comfy. However being spiteful is not in my vocabulary nor is it my middle name. I’m not cruel, although post institutional crisis, that would be something interesting to do – after all the visualization exercises these other Gurus propagate, seem more like a meditative mantra, rather than ‘get your butt up and do something real for once!’

I have proposed brilliant ideas {not because I’m brilliant, nor am I being conceited!} to the Government, to Millionaires who constantly ask me for more ideas in the hopes of making more money; to shoot-in-the-dark wannabe technopreneurs who think that if I divulge an idea or a concept, they’d bank on it, and make a fortune whilst they sit there in their glass structures, looking down {condescendingly} from their fifty-sixth storey building looking down at the one in the streets, thinking he made it all without anybody’s help.

When people or future employers, clients or potential partners judge you because you are a trend and have a following of more than their whole village put together, overlooking the fact that these, the fans could translate to their brand getting popularized overnight, and rather not hire you because you are you, they have failed miserably in the ‘relationship’ test – humans that do not conform to their ‘standards’ are shipped in sardine cans, and stocked to be forgotten.

No company is an island. You need people to make things work – you need muscles, and intelligence to sustain a business. Is it really a crime if I’m better in visioning than the CEO? Or have an insight as to what works for and against any one Company?

Companies must realize that if they want to get things done, they’d just have to hire. No point re-advertising an opening every other three months and not hiring just because one does not have the insight to hire the better candidate. Any experienced HR Executive knows where the money comes from, and if I don’t scratch your back for whatever reason, it shouldn’t be a pre-requisite, for me not landing a ‘paying’ appointment. Companies must also realize that these, their employees are not mere employees. They’re humans as well – that they have dependents, and responsibilities outside the scope of the organization they work with.

Taking to tasks, means working and doing it rather than politicking about the matter and creating media paparazzi just to sell news or create content.

Another word is integrity.

Employers are advised to read ‘Of Mice, and Men’ by John Steinbeck to learn about the importance of human relationships and how that will effect their organizations; Government agencies are advised to learn more about integrating citizens as the integral jigsaw in new models of governance, and perspectives; Human Resource Management are advised to take a leading role in encouraging CSR activities at all levels. The combined impact of CSR and human resource activities, which reinforce desirable behaviour, can make a major contribution in creating long-term success in organizations.

Need I say more?