07.02.2025 Today’s Insights and Inspiration from the Leadership Journey of Oprah Winfrey, in Harvard Business Review
Dear Students,
You may have noticed an emphasis on authenticity in yesterday’s HBR blog article about GenAI. Specifically, concerns about authenticity, as a greater proportion of commercial communications take place with computers.
Amidst all the hype surrounding automation authenticity, let’s not forget about the importance of human authenticity, which has proven itself to be of critical value for everyone, (including ambitious international students like you!), in forging and sustaining relationships within a global business environment.
https://hbr.org/podcast/2024/12/what-oprahs-leadership-journey-reveals-about-the-power-of-authenticity?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=dailyalert_Active&deliveryName=NL_DailyAlert_20241226
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December 25, 2024. Oprah Winfrey isn’t just a public figure—she’s the wealthiest woman in the entertainment industry and the first African-American woman billionaire.
hbr.org
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And who’s better-known for her authenticity than Oprah (Winfrey), although her family name (which derives from the word “joy”) is virtually unnecessary? Within this short, yet powerful podcast, former Harvard Business School professor, HBS alum and engineering degree-holder Bill George discusses his knowledge of and interactions with Oprah, unpacking a wide range of the power skills that have helped to make the talk show host, author, actress, and philanthropist etc., who now possesses a $3B net worth, reach her current level of influence, as the “Queen of All Media” (per Wikipedia). Oh, and by the way, she is also the CEO and Chairman of Harpo Productions and the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Along with a message similar to the one shared earlier in the week about Harry Kraemer, Jr., that of “Vulnerability is Power,” George uncovers many qualities of Oprah’s “human side” within this podcast/transcript. Some of these characteristics and competencies useful for young professionals like you, for example, include:
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Having the courage to be true to oneself (based on a personal point-of-view on a student’s own values), deriving from self-reflection and the ensuing self-awareness
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Resilience to come back from personal and professional setbacks and even tragedies
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Being persistent in the face of uncertain outcomes
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Necessity of learning to influence, persuade and negotiate
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Inspiration as a component of effective leadership
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Receptivity, openness and willingness to take risks stemming from innovation
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Vulnerability, authenticity, willingness to be wrong and admit mistakes, and the continuous learning mindset to gain wisdom from these
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Why passion (heightened motivation) is so essential to becoming successful
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Leveraging the power of reading to build both written (and verbal) communication skills
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Related to “work/life” balance, or integrating personal passions into a young professional’s day
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Giving back as an element of having an abundance mindset
Net net, our coaches are eager to advise aspiring talents (like you!), who may hesitate to “show your true colors” for fear of “looking bad,” that such authenticity may well be what differentiates you in a world of “fake-it-’til-you-make it” copy-cats. This approach has certainly worked well for Oprah, who became a millionaire at 32, following syndication of her national talk show.
In her own words, Oprah admits, “I am a woman in process. I’m just trying like everybody else. I try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it.”
With that powerful message, wishing you an “authentically-joyful” evening.
Best,
Amy-Louise