Career lessons from Oprah Winfrey
Know yourselves, stand as 10,000 and make people laugh
Oprah Winfrey needs no introduction. I came across one of her interviews and mined it for some wisdom.1
That is why you go to school, fool!
Oprah talks about how CBS was calling her, at the age of 16, for a TV job. Oprah was hesitant since she was not sure if she can manage both school and work. Her art teacher nudged her to take the job by saying ‘That is why you go to school, fool!’ - to get a job.
I was surprised that the suggestion to take the job came from a mentor, not family or friends. Makes the case for a good mentor.
Know yourselves
Oprah talks about how she felt reporting was not her thing. And when she did her first talk show, interviewing an ice cream man, she found her calling. Oprah turned down a 2X-paying job because she knew she was not ready. And then moved to Chicago despite warnings from most of her professional network - where she went on to develop her most successful show2.
She encourages everyone to find their purpose on earth3 and work towards that. The easiest way to bid adieu to Monday blues!
Use humor
Throughout the interview, Oprah uses humor to keep the conversation very engaging. Listen to the interview for 5 minutes, and you will see it too. Something that we can aspire to in our day-to-day meetings, standups, and demos.
I come as 1, but I stand as 10,000
When you are going into a challenging situation, it will help to remember that you have blessings from all the people who came before you. That could be your family, countrymen, community, or tribe.
AI alert
I posted the video transcript toChatGPT and asked it to summarize the key takeaways. It is pretty good. Posting it below.
Oprah Winfrey's journey in TV and media was not a linear path. She started in radio at a young age and later ventured into television upon the encouragement of her professor, despite having no prior experience in the field.
Oprah discovered her passion for talk shows when she was placed on one as a last resort, finding it to be a natural fit for her ability to connect with people and discuss various topics.
Throughout her career, Oprah faced challenges of being the only woman or the only black person in the room. However, she focused on character and drew strength from the legacy of those who came before her, using her unique perspective to empower herself.
Oprah emphasizes the importance of listening to instincts, making the next right move, and being prepared to seize opportunities when they arise. She defines luck as "preparation meeting the moment of opportunity."
Drawing from her personal transformation, Oprah emphasizes the power of intention and action. She encourages understanding the intention behind actions and using television as a force for good to impact the world positively.
Leadership qualities such as being centered, compassionate, understanding, and willing to connect were crucial to Oprah's success. She recognized the universal desire for validation and the importance of acknowledging and understanding others.
Oprah advises paying attention to life as a teacher and viewing experiences, both joyful and challenging, as opportunities for personal growth and connection with a higher power.
In philanthropy and decision-making, Oprah highlights the importance of finding a balance between emotion and logic.
Oprah encourages individuals to honor themselves and nurture their well-being, putting themselves at the top of their own list. She believes that there are no mistakes or failures in life, as detours and losses serve as wake-up calls guiding individuals toward their supreme destiny.
Oprah defines Luck as Preparation meeting Opportunity.