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Managerial Leadership

The Oprah Winfrey Phenomenon

Explore the reasons underlying Oprah 's phenomenal success as a talk show host . What personal and inter-personal skills made her the `Queen of Souls

Oprah Winfrey revolutionized the talk show genre by converting the character of the show and herself as a host with the spirit , style and sense of rapport . She made it extremely unique by conducting the program as a give and take ' environment . She projected a warranted nationwide show to be a big shoulder to cry on ' and the living pulsating

encyclopedia of knowledge and information . To top it all Oprah conducted her program in a most personalized very friendly very neighborly like very sister-like very confidante-like persona . She is just like someone sitting across you that welcome you to talk your heart , body , mind , soul out - with no time limit and no bias or prejudice or pre-qualification on the part of the viewer . And since the viewing public and eventually the general related to such wholesomeness and wholeness , she became an addictive charismatic hyped phenomena that she has been for the running three to four decades now

Examine Oprah 's growth as a businesswoman and discuss her entrepreneurial and leadership skills . Do you think the gut based decision making style of Oprah is appropriate in the present business scenario ? Do you think Oprah would have been more successful as a businesswoman if she based her decisions on sound reasoning and analysis ? Justify your answer

The guiding principle of putting others first ' is so enlivened and passionate in the overall Oprah : as a human being as a talk show host as an artist as a thinker as a humanitarian as a business person . So , her entrepreneurial and leadership style is geared towards getting the best out of her staff colleagues partners audience listeners viewers readers . As she said , she is NOT in the business of business , but in the business of soothing souls . Therefore , to soothe soul , Oprah is the product she is the unique selling proposition she is the cure she is the content she is the stuff . And as such , the logic of gut feel is very much in place for Oprah is encapsulated in Oprah ' and that must follow what Oprah feels like

The proof is in the pudding : she is not worth billions of dollars if her gut feel ' style is not working . If she conducted her business strategy in any other way , she may still be more successful - or not The distinctiveness about Oprah is that she is encompassing : again , it is she that is being sold and it is she who is selling her . And if the inert , gut feel , common sense , down to earth business and leadership style of Oprah will transpose to reckon adopting and adapting to the hi-falutin ' management , entrepreneurial techno mumbo-jumbo of the modern day and age - might lessen the purity and honesty and sincerity of her skills . At any rate , she has got Dennis Swanson and Jeff Jacobs as able and trusted colleagues in the executive management of her business that will balance out the realities beyond her gut feel - if and when the case so arises . Circumstances and anecdotes witness and tell that their working relationship has been extremely wholesome , profitable and smooth

From not knowing how to technically read a balance sheet to not basing performances and creating show content on the results of ratings to simply following the lead of everyday women and men as to their life preferences and not on survey - the business acumen of Oprah Winfrey has placed her undoubtedly as a most intriguing case in point in every annals of business graduate schools

Describe the initiatives taken by Oprah to serve society ? How far did Oprah 's popularity help her succeed in her philanthropic ventures ? To what extent was Harpo 's performance influenced by Oprah 's service initiatives

Unabashedly , Oprah 's open book risen strength from being an abused child and early life in poverty - is the tilting point of her concern for others . Her banner theme of You Are Responsible For Your Own Life ' - is an inspiration that makes her give and the same inspiration she takes from others . If the others stand responsible for themselves Oprah feels she is a success . So her advocacies and charities is not only for purposes of making others happy , but it makes her fulfilled . So , Oprah has gone thru the stretch and length of lobbying for the protection of abused children finally earning the 1993 National Child Protection Act . By standard procedure 10 of her annual earning sponsored scholarships . Her Oprah 's Angel Network ' established in 1997 is a perpetuating fund raising basket for the less fortunate . She did a campaign on the world 's biggest piggy bank that the from her viewers she equally matched with her own money . She has spearheaded a major assistance drive for the victims of Typhoon Katrina Oprah likewise put up the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa to offer learning opportunities for underprivileged girls

Because of the level of influence and charisma that Oprah 's popularity play amongst her audience viewers and readers she can orchestrate and spearhead and lead charity drives . She is a major voice of compassion and love that people find it difficult not to believe in her and follow her appeal . It is because she exemplifies her call to action , as she acts herself . She equates dollar for dollar , right for right conviction for conviction any campaign she calls for . And considering the breadth and length of the shows of Harpo , she can reach out to the farthest and the widest number of people

Oprah Winfrey certainly has power . But most important , she has purpose - an abiding commitment to the principles of goodness and generosity that transcend any one individual . For most people , Oprah 's influence is less direct but no less meaningful . Those are the millions of ordinary men and women who long to improve themselves - to become better parents , kinder friends and stronger individuals . For those people , Oprah is an inspiration . She has struggled with many of the challenges that we all face , and she has transformed her life . Her message is empowering : I did it , and so can you (Rice , 2006

Briefly comment on the criticisms leveled against Oprah . In light of the fact that the Oprah Show was Oprah 's flagship product , do you think her decision to retire from the talk will be a good move for the Harpo group ? Justify your answer

Generally , life is a damn if you do , damn if you don 't ' way of people interaction . And you cannot everybody . The exercise of discernment of Oprah towards her disciplined work ethics and her astute demand for trust is rightfully a demand for equation : because she gives and lives within the same ethics and she simply expects the same in return

It is very interesting that since Oprah is herself the product , the unique selling proposition and the content itself of her show and magazine , it is beyond her or anyone 's decision to retire or not retire It is therefore beyond the issue of a good or bad move . She is herself the embodiment and composition of her shows and programs therefore it is she ' and her moves and her thoughts and her words that generated generate and will generate the response : bad or good . It is like in marriage - the sanctity of her relationship with her mission and life is till death do us part

Reference

Rice , Condolezza . Oprah ' Time Magazine . 30 April 2006

The Time 100 : The People Who Shape Our World

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