Part 2) Star Power Upload: (Old-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

 Oprah Winfrey announced she’s returning to school this fall. She’s planning to teach ‘Life 101’ to 12^th graders at her girl’s school in South Africa. It’s the stuff she wished someone had taught her sooner on how the world works. This role is about challenging them on making the grade in school and life.

It’s great to see Oprah step-up to the plate of mentoring her students. She’s clear on her calling as a “teacher who’s a talk show host.” Oprah will be doing similar work on her OWN network as well. She’ll turn lessons from her entire Oprah Show library into ‘live your best life’ TV clips.

Oprah’s mentoring style may have grown out of her relationship with Dr. Maya Angelou. She can look to her when in need of a ‘sounding board.’ Dr. Maya is likely to lend a listening ear. She’s probably good at explaining things in life that appear like a mystery or are deeply rooted in philosophy and history.

Maybe Dr Maya has been like a teacher to Oprah ‘the teacher.’ Their bond shows the different kinds of mentoring that exists. There’s ‘Apprentice Sr.’ where you’re being mentored by someone ahead of you; ‘Apprentice Jr.’ for mentoring someone behind you; and ‘Peer Learning’ between workmates or friends.

Oprah continues to broaden her role as a launching pad of success. She’ll probably make time to be a ‘right-hand partner’ to her students, similar to how Dr. Maya connects with her. Their example shows how mentoring relationships should serve as a runway. You get to taxi and ramp-up before you rise up.

(Part 2) Star Power Upload: (New-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

Coming to a classroom for true. Feels like déjà vu. As Oprah plans to return to school. Teaching her 12^th graders beyond the golden rule. The class is called ‘Life 101.’ Sharing how the world works under the sun.  South Africa, here she comes. Challenging kids on making the grade and then some.

Great to see Oprah still going strong. Mentoring her students on life’s sing song. She’s clear about her calling. As a “teacher doing talk show hosting.” Ready to do similar things on OWN network. Using Oprah Show TV clips as the groundwork. To give lessons from her live your best life’s work.

Oprah’s mentoring style might have grown. From what Dr. Maya Angelou has shown. Acting like a ‘sounding board.’ With advice that’s sharp like a sword. Dr. Maya lends a listening ear. To her concerns and worldly care. Explaining things that seem like a mystery. Deeply rooted in philosophy and history.

Maybe Dr. Maya is a teacher to Oprah ‘the teacher.’ Connecting the dots in ways that will reach her. A bond that shows how mentoring extends. With ‘Peer Learning’ between workmates or friends. Being mentored by someone who’s ‘Apprentice Sr.’ Or mentoring someone behind you as ‘Apprentice Jr.’

Oprah’s still broadening her role. Launching kid successes like high jump with the pole. Making time to be a ‘right-hand partner.’ The way Dr. Maya connects with her as a daughter. For students as they work harder. Knowing that mentoring should serve as a runway. You taxi, ramp-up and rise-up some day.

Tip: A good mentoring relationship serves as a runway. You get to taxi and ramp-up before you rise-up.

Talkback: What more can we possibly learn from Oprah as she moves from daytime to primetime?