Leadership of Oprah Winfrey When Most People

Leadership of Oprah Winfrey

When most people think of Oprah Winfrey, they will often associate her with the long running self named talk show (i.e. Oprah). However, throughout the course of her life she has endured various challenges that shaped her outlook. These experiences helped her to become a role model for everyone to follow. To fully understand the way Oprah exhibits these attributes requires focusing on what makes her a great leader and the accomplishments which enabled her to become successful. Together, these elements will illustrate how she was able to transform her life. (Garson, 2011) (Brown, 2005)

What makes her a great leader?

The most important factors that make Oprah Winfrey a great leader are her ability to inspire and motivate those around her. This is occurring based upon the way she supports those who are less fortunate and does more to make the world a better place. These beliefs enabled her to set the example for others to follow and give something back to society. (Garson, 2011) (Brown, 2005)

A good example of this can be with Oprah giving away $400 million to support higher education. Some of this money has been used to establish 400 different scholarships at Morehouse University. It allows minority and needy students to attend college. This is true leadership, as Oprah, is demonstrating how African-Americans can make positive contributions through education. (Garson, 2011) (Brown, 2005)

The support she has provided in these areas, is encouraging other billionaires (such as: Warren Buffet and Bill Gates) to become involved in charitable activities. Had it not been for Oprah, there is a realistic possibility that most of the wealth accumulated by these individuals would only benefit a select group of people. As a result, a shift has taken place in the mindset of the wealthy and affluent. Through demonstrating, how it is of great consequence to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. (Garson, 2011) (Brown, 2005)

What are some of her accomplishments that led her to becoming a leader?

Oprah became a good leader based upon the accomplishments she achieved in her own life. This was the result of her overcoming numerous challenges and redefining the world today. A few of the most notable include:

Rising above poverty and abuse: Throughout the course of Winfrey's early life, she was sent to live with different relatives. This is because her mother was unable to support her and used the rest of the family as a way of easing the financial burden on them. This resulted in her facing ridicule and discrimination at the hands of her classmates. They believed that she was nothing and would never amount to anything. However, in spite of the issues, Winfrey continued to focus on education and believed that this was the key for her living a better life. This instilled sense of determination and wanting something more. The example she set, enabled Oprah to become a leader for young African-Americans. As they realized, that anything is possible by having a dream and being willing to purse it regardless of the situation. (Garson, 2011) (Brown, 2005)