Running head: TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 1
Oprah Winfrey – Transforming Lives Through Visionary Leadership
DaNika Robinson
Virginia Commonwealth University
EDLP715 Principles of Professional Writing I TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 2
Oprah Winfrey – Transforming Lives Through Visionary Leadership
Oprah Winfrey, a television icon and visionary leader, has successfully inspired others through her establishment of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, Oprah’s Angel
Network, and the Oprah Winfrey Network. These initiatives all began with Oprah’s desire to change the world that she lived in. “Oprah is a powerhouse of a woman who has put her talents, efforts, celebrity and money into shining the spotlight onto those throughout the world who are less advantaged than she, acting to help lift them from that situation—thereby proving beyond a doubt that one woman can indeed change the world” (“Why We Honor Her”, n.d., para. 4).
Oprah’s accomplishments are impressive considering the challenges she faced during her childhood.
Oprah was born in rural Mississippi in 1954. At an early age, she experienced parental hardships from her unwed, teenaged parents. While living with her mother, Oprah was the victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by some of her male relatives. As a result, Oprah ran away from home and eventually went to live with her strict father. She became pregnant at 14 but the premature baby died shortly after birth. After graduating high school, Oprah moved to Baltimore and became a television news anchor. She even hosted a talk show and gradually became nationally recognized through these avenues. Because of her national recognition, Oprah was asked to start a talk show in Chicago, which successfully ran for 25 seasons. Notwithstanding the obstacles she faced early in her life, Oprah overcame them all through her many successes and she used her platform to encourage others that they, too, can do the same. She had many visions and she was willing to do what it took to see those visions realized.
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 3
Visionary Leadership
According to Hirzel (2003), a leader is a person who empowers others to achieve their
personal best. Through this act of empowerment, the leader creates a legacy that extends beyond
their lifetime. Scholars have researched many styles of leadership, one being that of a visionary
leader.
Visionary leaders must be able to transform the lives of others through their leadership.
These types of leaders influence and motivate their followers through inspiration, persuasive
communication, optimism, and risk taking (Belcher, 2015; Patrick, n.d.; Tracy, n.d.; and Stam,
van Knippenberg, & Wisse, 2009; and Venus, Stam, and van Kippenherg, 2013). “A vision
describes the ideal future that the leader wants to create” (Kirkpatrick, 2004, p. 1615). Visionary leaders are able to see what they want to accomplish even if those around them do not understand how the vision will be realized. Visionary leaders are driven by their passion and vision first and then by the mission for achieving the necessary goals and objectives which “links the present to the future” (Rao, 2015, p. 3). Although visionary leaders are optimistic that their vision will come to fruition, they must be prepared for obstacles and challenges that may hinder the full realization of the vision by their deadline. The ability to communicate a vision and
inspire others to buy into the vision is key; however, taking risks and remaining optimistic does
not come easy.
Visionary leaders realize that having a vision does not remove obstacles and challenges
that may hinder the realization of their goals. Even though leaders face obstacles, their vision
keeps them grounded while serving as the launching pad from which they propel their initiatives.
In times of despair, a visionary leader can go back to their core beliefs, the root of why they started their initiative. Going back to that core belief will keep the visionary leader focused on TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 4 the end result rather than being focused on the uncertainties of their present situation. It is during these times that the visionary leader will have to be comfortable in taking risks.
Kirkpatrick (2004) suggests that taking risks helps breed innovation and creativity while eliminating assumptions. Kirkpatrick (2004) also notes that, although visionary leaders appear to be “engaging in unconventional behaviors” it is not as if they are entering into an initiative blindly. Instead, they are typically “evaluating all options” (Kirkpatrick, 2004, p. 1617). There are times when followers do not understand why a leader is approaching a particular situation in a certain manner. It is during those times that followers may feel that the leader is making a major sacrifice but, to the leader, there is no sacrifice because the leader is “entirely focused on pursuing the vision” (Kirkpatrick, 2004, p. 1617). As long as the leader is able to provide open and consistent communication to the followers, there will continue to be buy-in, even during the risk-taking process.
A visionary leader must be able to continuously communicate to their followers that the initiative they are embarking upon is “valid and worthwhile” (Stam et al, 2009, p. 500).
According to Stam et al (2009), a leader’s ability to communicate the vision is a measure of leader effectiveness. In being able to communicate the vision and overcome obstacles, a visionary leader must remain optimistic that the vision will come to fruition and inspire their followers to believe the same. Even in moments when it seems that the vision will not be realized, the visionary leader must never give up hope. “Most visions are not intended to be fully achievable on a planned-out timetable; rather, they are intended to be pursued or worked toward on a daily basis over the long term” (Kirkpatrick, 2004, p. 1615). Visionary leaders must continue to believe in the vision and make adjustments where necessary. Oprah Winfrey had a TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 5
vision for her initiatives and, when obstacles presented themselves, she made adjustments that
were in the best interests of the organizations she established.
Oprah’s Angel Network
In 1997, Oprah’s Angel Network began as an idea for people across the world to donate their spare change in order to enhance their communities and global initiatives, an idea she had received from one of her television talk show guests (“Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network to
Dissolve,” 2010). As a visionary leader, Oprah personally gave away millions of dollars over the
years and inspired everyday people to give through her development of Oprah’s Angel Network
(Hirzel, 2003; “Oprah’s Angel,” n.d.). With this initial vision, Oprah raised $3.5 million in order
to create college scholarships for underprivileged students (“Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network to
Dissolve,” 2010). Oprah’s viewers joined in with her and not only made financial gifts in
support of her vision but also donated their time (“Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network to Dissolve,”
2010). Oprah’s persuasive communication inspired many people to assist the Habitat for
Humanity in building over 200 new homes (Fry, n.d.). A lot was accomplished under Oprah
Winfrey’s Angel Network which began from a simple vision, donating spare change.
Oprah’s Angel Network ceased operations in 2010 because Oprah shifted her vision to
focus on new challenges (“Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network to Dissolve,” 2010). Over the
twelve years of its operation, Oprah’s Angel Network successfully raised more than $80 million,
built schools in many countries, provided necessary supplies for underprivileged children across
the world, and built homes after major storms such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita (“Oprah’s
Angel,” n.d. and “Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network to Dissolve,” 2010). These many
accomplishments confirm the realization of Oprah’s vision to encourage others to give to
initiatives that would impact the world (Said, 2013). This vision transformed many lives through TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 6 the initial concept of giving spare change resulting in global social changes that affected the world and not just one continent.
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls
In 2000, Oprah Winfrey had a conversation with the former president of South Africa,
Nelson Mandela, about building a South African school for girls (Forbes, 2012 and “About The
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls,” n.d., para. 2). Oprah stated, “I realized that the only way to create long-term improvement and empowerment, and literally change the trajectory of somebody’s life, is through education” (Forbes, 2012, p. 50). She also stated, “When you're changing a girl’s life it is not just that life. You start to affect a family, a community, a nation”
(“About The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls,” n.d., para. 1). Oprah was passionate about transforming the lives of the underprivileged South African girls so that they could become leaders within their country. This vision inspired Oprah to establish the Oprah
Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007.
Oprah knowingly took a risk and began communicating this vision for a leadership academy to other stakeholders (“About The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls,” n.d., para. 2). She personally contributed millions of dollars to this initiative and, in doing so, inspired others to contribute (“About The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls,” n.d., para. 3).
Donations for the Academy totaled more than $40 million (“About The Oprah Winfrey
Leadership Academy for Girls,” n.d., para. 3). Oprah’s persuasive communication continues to inspire donors to give to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, which provides for the operating expenses for the Academy (About The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for
Girls,” n.d., para. 3). TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 7
Although a life-changing concept, the Leadership Academy for Girls has endured its fair
share of obstacles. In 2008, a female worker was accused of sexually abusing six of the
Academy’s students (Forbes, 2012). Oprah stated, “No matter how much you try to build the
right environment, you don’t always anticipate all the risks that may undermine the larger spirit
of your work” (Forbes, 2012, p. 50). As a visionary leader, Oprah did not let this incident detract
from her ultimate goal. She was willing to continue her vision of educating future leaders in
spite of this setback which was beyond her control. Oprah overcame this obstacle by remaining
focused on the “greater vision” of the Academy and adapting to a new environment. At the same
time, she inspired others who were affected by the crisis to overcome this challenge as well
(Forbes, 2012, p. 50). Throughout this process, Oprah maintained open communication with the
staff, faculty, and students regarding her plans to fulfill the mission of the Academy, inspiring
others to not lose sight of the goals set before them.
The Oprah Winfrey Network
In 1993, Oprah had a vision about starting her own television network. She first wrote
about it in her journal. In developing her own television network, Oprah wanted to take the
viewer beyond television watching to “self-discovery” and “transformation” (“Oprah Winfrey
Network,” n.d., para. 5). In 2011, Oprah was successful in realizing this dream when the Oprah
Winfrey Network went on the air.
Although Oprah was not new to the world of television, running a network and figuring out what would increase ratings was a new experience. She learned, early on, that starting a
television network would require continued risks. Oprah took a risk in allowing others to serve
in key executive roles (“Oprah Winfrey to Become Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative
Officer,” 2011). Due to the initial television rating struggles of the network, Oprah assumed the TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 8
role of chief executive officer and chief creative officer (“Oprah Winfrey to Become Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer,” 2011). She also brought on former presidents of
Harpo Studies, her production company, to serve as president of the Oprah Winfrey Network
(“Oprah Winfrey to Become Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer,” 2011).
Unfortunately, after a year into the launching of the Oprah Winfrey Network, she had to lay off 30 employees in an effort to “restructure” the Network’s operations (“Oprah Winfrey’s
OWN Network Lays Off,” 2012 and “Oprah Winfrey Network Restructures,” 2012). In the face
of this initial challenge, Oprah communicated her vision with colleagues in the television industry, inspired them to join her on her television network, and adapted to her new model, creating a thriving television network (Patten, 2015). Oprah also realized that the television
viewers desired to see more of her in front of the camera so she changed her television network
strategies to accommodate their desires (“Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network Lays Off,” 2012).
Although Oprah had challenges with the initial start-up of her television network, she did not
give up hope on her vision and has inspired others not to give up on theirs.
Oprah Winfrey has accomplished a lot utilizing her vision for a better future. As a true
visionary leader, she shared her vision with others, inspired them to share in the vision through
persuasive communication, took risks to change the world as she knew it, and was optimistic that
her visions would come to fruition, despite the many obstacles she had to face during the
implementation stages. Oprah endured many obstacles, both personally and professionally, but
she did not allow these obstacles to define her destiny. She allowed her visions to remain at the
core of everything she did. In doing so, she has been able to reach many levels of success.
Because of her visionary approach, Oprah’s legacy will continue to live on through the initiatives
she has established. TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH VISIONARY LEADERSHIP 9
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