A Mentor’s Role in Unlocking Our Potential
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”
Steven Spielberg
Mentors are teachers who have panned their lessons for golden opportunities to empower others.
I’ve been reflecting on the remarkable individuals who’ve given me a significant leg up in life.
As a fiercely ambitious creative, I’m driven by the desire to beat to my own drum, never content to follow in anyone else’s footsteps.
Then in my early 20’s, after a few bumps and scrapes, I realized, why make life harder than it needs to be?
Mentors are willing to share invaluable insights, nudging us toward our true potential.
Over the years, I’ve actively sought out the kindred spirits ahead of me, observing closely how they’ve navigated their journeys from novice to artisan.
One exceptional mentor is the late John Juliani.
John Juliani, Director, Producer, Actor 1940-2003
In 2001, while living on the Sunshine Coast, I auditioned for a lead role in a play about a nun.
The director enjoyed my performance but picked someone else.
He advised me to contact a well-known director in Vancouver and audition for one of his plays.
I found John's number, gathered my wits, and called him.
“Hi, my name is Shana Lee Gibson, and I’m producing a radio show about extraordinary people. I want to interview you.”
He said yes, despite me being a nobody in show business or journalism, for that matter.
After the interview, he offered to store my reel-to-reel machine at the Director’s Guild in Vancouver, where he was president, so I wouldn’t have to lug it around when running errands.
We became friends.
He was kind, straight to the point, and conscientious.
The time came for me to audition for one of his plays. After my audition, he looked me dead in the eye and said, “I know what you have and what you need.”
I thought about what he meant but didn’t ask. My 22-year-old self was too anxious.
Instead of elaborating, he offered me the role of Stage Manager. I eagerly agreed. In his presence, I felt calm, respected, and challenged.
My role was all-encompassing: I learned from him as the Director and coordinated communication across the company to ensure a smooth production.
The play was a success.
John Juliani, 1940-2003
John passed away a few years after I met him. I was crushed.
There was still so much to learn from him.
It took me time to figure out what he saw in me and what I needed, but it did finally come to mind.
I had chutzpa and an ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. I needed the opportunity to experience my potential in a role I wouldn’t have chosen for myself.
I always imagined myself as an actor. I never considered being a stage manager. He saw potential in me that I hadn't yet realized.
After that experience, I focused on producing and directing, which I enjoyed more than acting.
In future blogs, I’ll share stories about the other mentors who guided and inspired me to step outside my comfort zone.
Mentors unlock our potential – by gently tugging at our strengths through encouragement, wisdom, and opportunity.
P.S. There’s no video this month, but you can watch my latest project here: Queen of Peace Monastery – Living Peacefully in Harmony with Nature