Page 209 - Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders

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LEADER AS STORYTELLER
CHAPTER 12
National Child Protection Act was enacted. She was present when President
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Bill Clinton signed the bill, which was also known as “Oprah’s Law.”
Oprah is naturally empathetic and uses her own experiences to draw
others out. While other hosts use topics like this to shock, Oprah uses them to
raise awareness and perhaps begin a healing process—not only for her guests,
but for her viewers. She does, however, admit to mistakes, recalling from the
past a live show on adultery that resulted in the transgressing husband’s con-
fessing to his wife that his girlfriend was pregnant. Seeing the shock on the
wife’s face moved Oprah to tears herself. Still, the show crossed the line, and
she did not wish to repeat the experience: “You should not have to come on
television and be publicly shamed and humiliated.” 17
Oprah is more philosophical about her role. “I’m a black woman—I own
the show, I own the studio . . . [and this] speaks volumes about the possibility of
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what a black person can do, a black female can do.” Oprah features successful
men and woman of color where appropriate as a matter of inclusiveness. “[T]he
point about breaking down racial barriers is to show that we’re more alike than
we’re different, that all feelings, all pain, all joys, all sorrows, bear no color. The
reason I’ve been successful is because I focus on the commonality.” 19
WORDS OF WISDOM
For Oprah, giving advice is second nature. In a way, her life is her message.
Her achievements, tempered by her infectious sense of humor, give her
stature; people want to listen to what she has to say. Here is a sampling from
Oprah Winfrey Speaks: 20
On Herself
More than anything else, I would call myself a truth seeker. I’m always
looking for truth and its value in my life.(p. 130)
Power is strength over time.(p. 105)
Gut is what got me to where I am today.(p. 113)
I’m a person who lives my life with great passion, and I think that comes
across on camera.(p. 37)

On the Future
When I look at the future it’s so bright I burn my eyes. (p. 173)
I believe that you tend to create your own blessings. You have to prepare
yourself so that when opportunity comes, you’re ready for it. (p. 167)
On Her Fame
I’ve developed a great respect for fish. I’ll tell ya, because I’ve lived my
life in a fishbowl. (p. 73)