Oprah Winfrey - Post 3

Oprah Winfrey exemplifies all leadership capacities. She acts with a moral purpose by getting information out to the public and challenging them to use this information. In 2000, Oprah's Angel Network began presenting a $100,000 "Use Your Life Award" to people who are using their lives to improve the lives of others (Academy of Achievement, 2006). Oprah challenges people to improve their current situations and pass it on. Through these challenges, we can see her respect for understanding change.

As a television talk show host, Oprah presents knowledge building and sharing by developing relationships with her audience. The one-time local Chicago newswoman has developed a career and television show that influences and inspires millions of people around the world (Tennant, 2006). Oprah displays coherence making when she provides her audience with information and expects them to “Live their Best Life”. Recently, everything she presents on the show has become a way to improve one’s current situation in life. Experts in different fields also help to send a message of change to the audience.

By presenting topics about health, spirituality and change, Oprah displays her reculturing ability. Each episode is not geared to restructure society, but to possibly change the way we currently do things. Presenting new information and validating it by experts, this information can have a strong impact on the audience and eventually society. Not everyone may agree with the information she presents, but Oprah uses her role in the media to stimulate a new way of thinking. Without people who challenge our current views, we might never change.

References:

Academy of Achievement. (2006, May 5). America’s best beloved friend. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/win0bio-1.

Tennant, T. (2006). Overview: The Oprah Winfrey show. Retrieved February 14, 2009, from http://talkshows.about.com/od/oprahwinfrey/gr/OprahShow.htm.

Oprah Winfrey - Post 2

Leadership, Turning Points and Failure

Oprah Winfrey displays many qualities of a leader. She is a seeker of truth in herself and in others; her empathy, honesty, and love of people have made her one of the most beloved women in America (Academy of Achievement, 2006). Oprah has been through many obstacles in her life including poverty, sexual abuse and early motherhood, but continued to work towards her goals (Borer, 2005). Oprah focused on her strength for journalism while landing jobs at radio and new stations before becoming a talk show host.

Oprah also made a name for herself in the African-American community. Oprah was asked to represent a local radio station as Miss Fire Prevention. Oprah would go on to win the competition and was the first African-American to ever win the contest (Borer, 2005). She is also the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. These successes came with hard work and dedication to a dream.

The failures Oprah has experienced can be linked to personal experiences that shaped who she is today. Things that she had no control over have made her a stronger person. People closest to her have been the ones to hurt her, but she continued to reach for her goals. Perseverance is a needed leadership quality to make it when one’s life is displayed in front of the media. Also, Oprah has the ability to challenge others to make a difference wherever they can.

References:
Academy of Achievement. (2006, May 5). America’s best beloved friend. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/win0bio-1.
Borer, E. (2005). A childhood biography of Oprah Winfrey. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://oprah.about.com/od/oprahbiography/p/oprahchildhood.htm.

Oprah Winfrey - Post 1

Background of Oprah Winfrey

I tend to value leaders that are hard-working and are dedicated to achievement in their lives. The leader that I selected to research was Oprah Winfrey. Especially as a child, Oprah had many obstacles to endure. Oprah’s mother worked as a maid cleaning houses, but at times had to rely on welfare to support the family (Krohn, 2005, p. 9). At age 9, Oprah was sexually abused by her cousin, then later on by her uncle and a family friend. Then at age 14, Oprah found out she was pregnant, carried the child to term and then lost the child within two weeks of his birth (Borer, 2005).

Even though these obstacles got in her way, Oprah was still named one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century by Time magazine, and in 1998 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Academy of Achievement, 2006). Oprah Winfrey was the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. Between her radio shows, television show, magazine and movie roles, Oprah still finds time to give back and uses her public role to influence others. In 2000, Oprah's Angel Network began presenting a $100,000 "Use Your Life Award" to people who are using their lives to improve the lives of others.

I view Oprah as a leader because even though life was challenging in the beginning, she worked hard and persevered. Other individuals might use what happened to them as an excuse to give up. Oprah not only did not give up, but she continues to challenge others to change their lives every day.

References:
Academy of Achievement. (2006, May 5). America’s best beloved friend. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/win0bio-1.

Borer, E. (2005). A childhood biography of Oprah Winfrey. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://oprah.about.com/od/oprahbiography/p/oprahchildhood.htm.

Krohn, K. (2005). Oprah Winfrey: just the facts. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publishing Company.