Oprah Winfrey Research Paper

Oprah Winfrey: An Inspiring Global Leader
Isabella Barrett-Jusay
Woodbury University

Author Note
Written for Dr. Virginia Green. Class: Management 326
Contact: [e-mail]

Abstract
This paper explores the leadership styles Oprah Winfrey applies and how they have helped her become a global leader. Oprah has impacted the world by sharing her life and vision through cross-cultural, servant, and transitional leadership. She is an influential global leader who has captivated people with her charisma and honesty and her business continues to flourish. Keywords: global leader, communication skills, and organizational methodology

Introduction There are seven
Despite the adversities, she was able to overcome these obstacles and experiences. Her life began to turn around when Oprah went to live with her father in Tennessee when she was a teenager. There she excelled in high school and discovered an interest in public speaking (Academy of Achievement, 2013). When Oprah was in her late teen years she was recognized by WVOL radio station. Oprah hosted the radio station till her second year as a communications student in college. However, Oprah decided not to finish college because she was offered her own television show. In the end, not completing her education and hosting her own television show paid off. Through The Oprah Winfrey Show she has motivated and inspired millions of people around the world. Oprah embodies a global leader because she is emotionally intelligent, relatable, inspirational, and a humanist (Hedayati, 2013).
Since 1997 viewers have donated over eighty million dollars the charity. The Angel Network distributed its final grants in September 2010 during the Oprah Show’s last season (History of Angel Network, 2014). Furthermore, she is able to captivate people with her charisma. She uses charismatic and transformational leadership. The Oprah Show aired for twenty-five consecutive seasons because of her ability to connect with people. Her audience is drawn to her and listens to her advice, which proves that she is a successful leader. On her show she talks about experiences that everyone endures and can relate to such as, hardship and self help advice. During her show she is uses every day language that people can relate to and also stays in close proximity to the crowd. Her close contact to the audience keeps them engaged and she is able to understand people’s emotions and behavior. Oprah has a clear vision to help people, and she stays true to this mission, which exhibits her transition leadership