www.oprah.com
Oprah Winfrey: Biography
Considered by many as the most powerful woman in entertainment, this media diva has turned her name into a $1 billion fortune.
Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi to unmarried Vernita Lee and Vernon Winfrey. Her first six years of life were spent with her beloved maternal grandparents Hattie Mae and Earless Lee. Afterwards, she spent a few years with her mother and half sister, Patricia in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1963, Oprah experienced a series of sexual abuse by a cousin and other violators. In 1968, she would receive a scholarship to Nicolet High School in Milwaukee; yet, she became pregnant, and was sent to live with her father and stepmother, Zelma. Unfortunately, the child died. In 1970, this most popular girl (according to her senior class mates) became the first Black Miss Fire Prevention and also the first Miss Black Tennessee. In 1971, she eventually graduated from East Nashville High School where she was involved in the drama club, the National Forensics League, the honor society, and the student council. After high school, Oprah enrolled in Tennessee State University on scholarship. While in college she began her broadcasting career as a weekend news reader at local radio station WVOL. In 1973, she went to work for WLAC and soon afterwards the company’s WLAC-TV station. In 1976, leaving college without a degree, Oprah took a reporter’s job and co-anchored the evening news in Baltimore at WJZ-TV. In 1978, she became a co-host of the station’s morning show People Are Talking. In 1984, Oprah moved to Chicago to become the host of AM CHICAGO. Because of the successfulness of the show since her arrival, it would be renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show; this marked the beginning of her ascension to the top of the entertainment world as a woman and minority. She would eventually be crowned the Queen of Daytime talk T.V. and become the first African-American woman billionaire. From television to magazine publishing and most recently, satellite radio, this media tycoon is a definition of leadership.
Northouse (2004) defines leadership as “. . . process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” (p.3) I consider Oprah’s leadership to be charismatic because she’s confident and utilizes her personality strategically. She’s direct, yet, considerate of her guests and audience. She projects herself as a personable person you can feel at ease with. Her audience, mainly middle-age women, can relate to her in some way or another. They see someone who keeps it real about her looks, diet, past bad life experiences, and so on. She comes across as spiritual without being religious (I think intentionally to keep from alienating any religious group). She leads by example with her charitable deeds via her charity, Oprah Angel Network, such as her Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts and work in South Africa regarding HIV/AIDS. Her web site www.oprah.com provides advice on living life itself and resources for assistance. Her interactive multimedia workshop, Live Your Best Life, shares some of her personal life trials and tribulations; all with the hope that someone can learn from her own lessons.
According to Northouse (2004), “the trait perspective suggest that certain individuals have special innate or inborn characteristics or qualities that make them leaders, and it is these qualities that differentiate them from nonleaders [sic].” (p.4) In Oprah’s case, her statement, “I don’t think of myself as a poor, deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who from an early age knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good” shows that she is well aware of her place in this world. She conveys a “drive for responsibility and task completion” when she put into words, “My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment” (Northouse, 2004, p. 17) She continues to show “vigor and persistence in pursuit of goals” because of her belief to “always continue the climb “ and by her declaration, “It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it” (Northouse, 2004, p.17) She definitely has the “drive to exercise initiative in social situations” by her contributions to Hurricane Katrina victims, Tsunami victims, HIV/AIDS research, education in general, and so on (Northouse, 2004, p.17) When she says, “I don’t believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process” she is demonstrating her “willingness to accept consequences of decision and action” (Northouse, 2004, p.17) A perfect example is when she optimistically supported James Frey’s memoir A Million Little Pieces. James Frey was a guest on her show when it was discovered that he changed parts of his story with exaggerated experiences and bold lies in his book. Oprah even went so far as to call in live to Larry King Live show and defend him. Only to soon find out that all the accusations about Frey were indeed truths. However, on her very own show, and with dignity and self-respect, she acknowledged the issue and apologized to her audience. Yet, her “ability to influence other persons’ behavior” is clear when she gives advice to her guess and audience such as “Turn your wounds into wisdom”, “I know that you cannot hate other people without hating yourself” and “Right now you are one choice away from a new beginning-one that leads you toward becoming the fullest human being you can be” (Northouse, 2004, p.17)
In the words of Oprah, “I am where I am because of the bridges that I crossed. Sojourner Truth was a bridge. Harriet Tubman was a bridge. Ida B. Wells was a bridge. Madam C.J. Walker was a bridge. Fannie Lou Hamer was a bridge.”
From her early years attending church with her grandparents, she captivated audiences with her humor and natural ability to recite biblical scriptures and poems. She was a keynote speaker on many occasions starting at 13. Oprah realized her calling for talk T.V. when she became too involved with the stories as a news anchor in Baltimore. She was critiqued about her inability to separate her emotions and control her visible reactions to some of the stories. Her non-appealing appearance (i.e. hair and body size) was an issue as well. Becoming the host of People Are Talking allowed her to be herself and get involved with the issues. Her personal background and life experiences allowed her the ability to understand what people were concerned about-every day life. She capitalized on her experiences with drugs, rape and sexual abuse, abandonment issues, relationships’ drama, and so on. This also helped her become the number one competition for then another talk T.V. personality, Phil Donahue, after becoming the host of AM CHICAGO. Eventually, she would respectfully outdistance him in ratings and assume the throne of talk show hosting here in America. Her pot luck of humor, life experiences, relatable physical appearance, and easiness won many a fan.
“For every one of us that succeeds, it’s because there’s somebody there to show you the way out. The light doesn’t always necessarily have to be in your family; for me it was my teachers and school” (Oprah Winfrey)
Northouse (2004) states that “While personality certainly plays an integral role in leadership, the skills approach suggests that knowledge and abilities are needed for effective leadership.” (p.35) The skills approach addresses the capabilities of a leader (for example, technical skills, human skills, and conceptual skills). As an African-American woman in predominately white-male controlled industry, Oprah Winfrey has learned to play the game with the boys so to speak. She attended the Tennessee State University, majoring in Speech Communication and Performing Arts; although, she did interrupt her college experience to start her career, she did eventually receive her degree. She surrounded herself with talent that could understand her brand and vision. Her show went national with the help of King World Productions in 1986. Oprah became the first Black woman to own a studio and production company, Harpo Productions, Inc. in 1988. Although King World continues to be the sole distributor, she has negotiated deals that allow her to own and control the rights to her show. Studying the competition, re-inventing her show with wide ranging topics, maintaining a neutral political position, and her non-threatening pro-Black image has allowed her to become a savvy businesswoman.
“Every one wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you need is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down” (Oprah Winfrey)
Northouse (2004) states that “To be a leader with human skills means being sensitive to the needs and motivations of others, and taking into account others’ needs in one’s decision making.” (p.37) She’s human! She’s able to make guests feel somewhat comfortable when interviewing them with non-traditional questions that are not necessarily related to the main issue. She’s very down-to-earth and readily exposes concerns and curiosities along with her guests. She talks about her failures in life. Although her show is considered testimonial at times, she’s careful not to become preachy. She listens intently and uses small words. She explores such sensitive areas like forgiveness and suffering. Her hugging and crying shows the audience that she is real and identifies with what is going on with her guests.
“Become the change you want to see-those are the words I live by” (Oprah Winfrey)
According to Northouse (2004), “. . . conceptual skills are abilities to work with ideas and concepts.” (p.38) Oprah continues to search for ways to improve her brand. She has launched a leading monthly magazine, O, for women; she continues to produce t.v. specials and film via her Harpo Films company and she’s the co-founder of a cable network, Oxygen Media, for women. Most recently, she has entered a deal with XM Satellite Radio to bring her show Oprah & Friends online, which is set to launch in September 2006.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you came from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always” (Oprah Winfrey)
Oprah Winfrey once said “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” Had she not failed as a news anchor in Baltimore, would she have become the Queen of Talk? In 2001, the University of Illinois offered a course entitled History 298: Oprah Winfrey, The Tycoon. The course was to focus on how one of the wealthiest, and most powerful woman in entertainment, built a multimedia empire nontraditionally. Her southern roots, life experiences, and ability to surround herself with knowledgeable people have allowed her to become somewhat of an industry herself.
Bibliography
Northouse, P.G. (2004). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Winfrey, O. G. Women’s History. Quote collections assembled by Jone Johnson Lewis, 1997-2005. www.about.com