Success of Leadership in Women Essay Example
Success of Leadership in Women Essay Example

Success of Leadership in Women Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1163 words)
  • Published: December 16, 2021
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Oprah Winfrey, born in 1954 in Mississippi, is an extraordinary person with a special combination of charisma and determination that captivates and impacts others. Despite growing up in a farming community with her young single mother, Oprah faced difficulties due to the abuse she suffered from male relatives who lived in the same household where her mother worked as a housemaid.

At the age of fourteen, she lived independently and went through the devastating tragedy of losing her child. In 1972, she started working at a radio station and after four years became the beloved host of People Are Talking, a talk show on television. Following eight prosperous years, she established her own show named A.M. Chicago which garnered remarkable success. Subsequently in 1986, she elevated her career to unprecedented levels by introducing The Oprah Winfrey Show, a nationally syndicated program that captivated ten million viewers across 120 c

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hannels (Eitan and Illouz, p.).

Oprah Winfrey obtained the program and later transferred it to her production company, Harpo, because of its immense success. In 2011, she established the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which is still flourishing. This article explores Oprah Winfrey's exemplary leadership and the personal attributes that have played a role in her remarkable success. Effective leaders demonstrate intelligence, integrity, character, and effective communication skills to inspire people efficiently. The Trait theory identifies the qualities and traits of leaders that contribute to their effectiveness in leadership (Scott et al., p.).

Leaders can enhance their effectiveness and motivate others by possessing certain traits such as confidence, knowledge, and charisma. A theory suggests that studying and measuring personality traits, including patterns in thoughts and behaviors, is essential in understanding individuals.

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Commonly observed traits include anxiousness, shyness, and openness to new experiences.

The personality of a person determines their leadership qualities. Successful leaders demonstrate their success through their interests, abilities, and personality, which sets them apart from unsuccessful leaders. The main traits found in successful leaders include a strong drive for achievement, characterized by high levels of ambition, effort, energy, and initiative. These leaders effectively motivate others to achieve shared goals with great intensity.

The qualities of truthfulness and moral uprightness are vital as individuals value dependability, transparency, and faith. To effectively guide others, it is crucial to possess self-assurance that is exhibited in the confidence placed in one's notions and capabilities (Colbert, et al, p. 670). A prosperous leader must possess the capability to exercise sound discernment and possess robust analytical capabilities and aptitude. Proficiency in technical and business realms is imperative along with emotional maturity. Demonstrating inventiveness, adaptability, and charisma also play significant roles in leadership.

The theory is considered valid in terms of its foundation and basis, serving as a measuring stick to evaluate individual leadership traits. It also provides a natural sense of satisfaction and a deep understanding of the different aspects involved in the leadership process. However, there are limitations to this theory including subjective judgments on what defines a good leader and an extensive list of leadership traits. There is disagreement among scholars regarding which traits should be deemed most important, and many perceive the theory itself as overly complex. The choice to use this theory was influenced by Oprah Winfrey's personal traits playing a significant role in her success as a leader (Arnold, p. 507).

The theory of leadership is universally applicable, regardless

of one's level or age. It provides valuable insights for individuals across various settings and organizations. Managers can utilize the theory to assess their roles within an organization, while leaders can enhance their positions by gaining a comprehensive understanding of their identities (Colbert, et al, P. 672).

Through the theory, leaders can develop an understanding of how they impact others, allowing them to enhance their leadership qualities. The theory also provides insights into leaders' strengths and weaknesses, empowering them to address any areas of improvement. Oprah Winfrey exemplifies these leadership characteristics, as she held the title of being the only black billionaire for three consecutive years and was the wealthiest African American in the twentieth century.

Oprah Winfrey, despite her impoverished upbringing and challenging youth (Arnold, p. 507), remained dedicated to her career and achieving success. She worked tirelessly and stayed committed to her objectives. Even after becoming the first African American billionaire, she continued to strive for greater accomplishments and has sustained her success until now.

In 1994, Oprah Winfrey committed herself to advocating for children's rights and constantly generating fresh ideas and offering benefits to others. Her character traits and contributions in the United States were acknowledged with the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom. Despite encountering challenges like losing her co-anchor position when she was in her early twenties, she displayed determination and maintained optimism. The diverse titles linked to Oprah Winfrey, such as media proprietor, businesswoman, philanthropist, actress, and producer, demonstrate her exceptional leadership qualities (Eitan and Illouz, p. 81).

The titles have great responsibilities that have led to the success and achievements. She rules by inspiring through charisma and confidence. Her leadership qualities are

evident in the way she strategically selects team members and her value of mentorship. She values her customers, therefore, she extends her brand and takes care of her employees. She is a dreamer and communicates her visions as well as shows community care.

Conclusion

The trait theory shows that leadership requires the application of skills and techniques that are present in the personality of a person.

The innate qualities, however, require nurturing and fostering. For example, one can be educated on how to cultivate confidence and acquire business knowledge. While a leader has the option to display integrity and honesty, the drive to become a leader is inherent. Leaders who embrace the trait theory lead by motivating others rather than directing them.

The trait theory describes how Oprah Winfrey utilizes her individual characteristics to motivate others. Despite enduring abuse and leading a promiscuous lifestyle, she accomplished the incredible achievement of becoming the initial African-American billionaire. Her leadership qualities, derived from her personality, have played a substantial role in her worldwide triumph and notoriety. To demonstrate her exceptional attributes, Oprah has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Consequently, it can be asserted that Oprah Winfrey's international renown and fortune stem from her distinct personal traits, solidifying her as an immensely revered figure globally.

The theory is applicable to all leadership positions regardless of age and position.

Work cited

  • Colbert, Amy E., et al. "Assessing the Trait Theory of Leadership using Self and Observer Ratings of Personality: The Mediating Role of Contributions to Group Success." The Leadership Quarterly 23.4 (2012): 670-85. Web.
  • DERUE, D. SCOTT, et al. "trait and Behavioral Theories of Leadership: An

Integration and meta?analytic Test of their Relative Validity." Personnel Psychology 64.1 (2011): 7-52. Web.

  • Weinstein, Arnold. "Becoming Someone Else: Oprah Winfrey and Light in August." Mississippi Quarterly: The Journal of Southern Cultures 66.3 (2013): 507. Web.
  • Wilf, Eitan, and Eva Illouz. "''Dynamic Branding'': The Case of Oprah Winfrey." Women ; Performance: a journal of feminist theory 18.1 (2008): 71-84.
  • Web.

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