Sympathy for the devil

 

In Islamic theology, there exists many demons; the demon on your shoulder who whispers in your ear, the demon inside of us, and the original demon Lucifer.

Throughout time, demons have long existed in theology and literature. Usually, at crossroads.

Robert Johnson, the king of delta Blues and the forefather of Rock and Roll, was originally a guitarist who couldn't play a lick with his $10 guitar but mysterious became a virtuous in one year...

How did it occur?

He disappeared for an entire year and legend says that he knelt at the crossroads, carried his guitar and pointed it at the sky, and met Lucifer for a bargain; in return for his soul, he will achieve musical greatness.

We have Dr Faust, who had a highly successful life, however, he was disatissfied and disillusioned with man's knowledge. Dr Faust traded his soul with the devil in exchange for unlimited knowledge and earthly pleasures.

The prospect of selling one's soul is always tempting in literature and pop culture. I always sold careers to people. That's my skill. "The future seller" as an ex colleague once called me.

However, as ironic as my life is, while I was selling careers, mine was about to die out. I was about to leave my job as we could no longer hire people. I asked to be transferred to another function within HR but my ex boss apparently does not want to "set me up for failure".

My achievements were seen and heard industry wise, and I am only 24 years old, and I am being told that I should leave as I should not be set to fail? I was promised something but was offered another thing and was paid considerably less than my peers.

I took up writing about HR, and my exploits were heard far and wide. Then, I started reading about Iraqi labor law and posting about it. My boss, furiously pissed, tore me a new one and subtly threatened to destroy my career even though I did not even have him in my mind when writing.

That was when I knew that, for all my efforts, I am just another face in the crowd being used to create "an awesome workplace culture". He did attempt to find me a job for 3 months, but it's Iraq were talking about...40-50 percent unemployment rate and honestly, that does not wipe the slate clean. The trust was broken.

Just like Robert Johnson and Dr Faust, I found myself at the crossroads. The devil came and headhunted me with an offer that I could not refuse: Manage HR operations in Iraq, build a culture, and work with ex McKinsey, delivery hero, Amazon, and god knows what else. Keep in mind I am only 24.

I happily shook his hand. Was I now working with a competitor and a company that I once thought was my enemy?

Yes. Luckily, yours truly comes from a family of lawyers and knows how to avoid those pesky non-competes.

The fun part is that I knew very well that I would become the enemy the very next day. Some melodramatic speech was going to be said. Probably about how I am either a traitor, ungrateful, or the typical "after all we did for you and trying to find you a job" speech. I wonder if they knew...Would I still be the villain?

I picked up my CV and carried it towards the sky and knelt, and I am happy the devil came. He's a surprisingly stand-up guy. He trusts me, pays me well, does not lie and manipulate the crowds, and he is trying to built a culture and not a cult.

If you ask me, the devil is not on my shoulder, in the sky, or in my heart. He will not be there when the scared six-year old version of me looks under the bed. The devil is in me just like he is in you. He smiles whenever you do something bad and is always ready to make a deal.

Pick your deals wisely. I know I did.