The Price of Commitment in a Netflix Drama: When Personal Choices and Professional Duties Collide
How do you choose between personal commitments and professional responsibilities? Some decisions demand that we put duty first, while others call for prioritizing the people we love. But when both matter deeply, how do you know which to sacrifice?
A Story of Dedication
During a visit to a nursing home, I met Sister Az (not her real name), a nursing supervisor. She told me about a nurse from Myanmar who was getting married that day—and she was accompanying her to the Registry of Marriages.
The nurse had planned a modest ceremony in a public park, but Sister Az stepped in, booking a proper venue and ensuring a dignified reception. She organizes trips for her staff, supports them through personal struggles, and fosters a deep sense of family at work.
When I asked why she does all this, she simply said, "Because I love them."
Her words stayed with me. They reminded me of the Netflix film Gemencheh Boys—a story of sacrifice, mentorship, and difficult choices.
More Than a Fairytale Victory
Gemencheh Boys follows six boys from a rural Malaysian village, forced to take up cricket as a school sport. Their teacher, Cikgu Azman, saw potential where others saw troublemakers. With no background in cricket, he trained them, transforming them from reluctant players into champions.
But the heart of the film is not just about winning—it is about the tough decisions that come with leadership.
The First Dilemma: Duty vs. Family
Imagine you are the coach.
Your students are about to play an exhibition match—one that is both friendly and deeply significant. These boys never wanted to play cricket, and you promised them that this would be their final commitment. If you leave them now, their fire for the sport might die out, and they may never play again.
But at the same time, your child is sick. Your spouse pleads with you to stay.
If you leave, your students might lose the motivation to ever step onto the field again. If you stay, you may regret not being there for your family.
What would you do?
The Second Dilemma: Protecting vs. Trusting
One of your best players has trained relentlessly, but his hands are injured. He begs to play, knowing the team needs him.
At first, you make the tough call to bench him. After an early win, the team celebrates, but he sits apart, frustrated. Later, he confronts you privately—why is he being held back after giving everything to this sport?
You stand by your decision. Sometimes, leadership means making unpopular choices.
But as the tournament progresses, you reconsider: Are you protecting him, or are you holding him back? By the final match, you let him play, knowing it is still a risk—but a calculated one.
Leadership Is About Making the Necessary Judgment Call—Not the “Right” Call
Many believe leadership is about making the "right" decision. But in reality, there is no absolute right call—only the best judgment call based on the circumstances.
Leaders do not always have the luxury of certainty. They must assess risks, weigh priorities, and make a decision even when there is no clear winner.
In Gemencheh Boys, Cikgu Azman faced two impossible choices—between his students and his family, and between protecting a player or trusting his resilience.
If he had stayed with his family, he would have honored a personal duty. If he had benched the injured player until the very end, he would have acted out of concern for his long-term well-being. Neither choice would have been "wrong."
But leadership is not about finding a perfect answer—it is about having the courage to decide, act, and take responsibility for that choice.
Lessons in Leadership
Every sacrifice comes with a cost. The key is recognizing whether it is worth it.
Leadership is about making the necessary judgment call—not the “right” call. There is no universal right answer, only the best possible choice given the situation.
Trusting others is just as important as protecting them. Leadership requires balance—between care and discipline, pushing and holding back.
Final Thoughts
Even though I do not play cricket, Gemencheh Boys was a powerful film. Watching these boys—who began with no belief in themselves—grow into confident individuals was inspiring.
The most memorable moment was when Cikgu Azman spoke to the frustrated star player, telling him:
"You have to learn to trust those around you who love you. Because they will help you win—not just in competition, but in life."
That message of trust, sacrifice, and leadership makes Gemencheh Boys well worth a watch.