I’ve been inspired by Oprah Winfrey for as long as I can remember — maybe it’s how she gracefully navigates heartfelt interviews, or perhaps it’s the way she radiates empathy while commanding a massive media empire.
In all the years I’ve followed her work, I’ve noticed one thing loud and clear: people trust Oprah. They open up to her on national television, confide in her through letters, and look to her life story for guidance.
But where does that unwavering trust come from?
Sure, she’s wildly successful, a household name, and a billionaire philanthropist. Yet when you get down to it, her real superpower seems to lie in a few daily habits.
Below are 7 of the habits that, from my perspective, made Oprah one of the most trusted voices of our time. Along the way, I’ll share some intriguing research — on gratitude, meditation, empathy, and more.
1. She writes down three things she’s grateful for—every night
It might sound almost too simple—like something you’d find in a self-help book from the ’90s — but Oprah swears by her gratitude practice.
Every evening, she jots down three things she’s grateful for. Sometimes it’s a big breakthrough at work. Other times, it might be as small as a great cup of coffee. The point is to cultivate a mindset that actively looks for the good in each day.
I started my own gratitude journal a few years back — mostly out of curiosity—and was amazed at how quickly it lifted my mood. It turns out, there’s more than anecdotal evidence:
Researchers found a quick nightly gratitude-writing habit slashed stress and lifted mood in under two weeks. In other words, it’s not just Oprah’s personal secret — it’s grounded in science.
The magic behind gratitude journaling is that it nudges your brain to scan for positives instead of dwelling on negatives. Over time, this rewires stress circuits and makes you more resilient.
2. She treats daily meditation like a “super-power pause”
Oprah’s a long-time champion of meditation and often calls it her secret weapon. She’s said more than once that twice-a-day meditation makes her calmer and clearer when the spotlight is hottest.
And let’s be honest, if anybody knows about high-pressure moments and bright spotlights, it’s Oprah.
Her routine typically involves sitting quietly for a set period — often 20 minutes — before starting her morning or winding down in the evening. Even if you’re not an early riser, the concept is the same: carve out stillness amidst a busy world.
Finally, your mind learns to be present, letting you navigate stress with more poise.
The science behind meditation’s effect on trustworthiness may not be obvious, but think about it:
Leaders who stay centered under pressure inspire confidence.
Neuroscientists found regular mindfulness shrinks an overreactive amygdala and bulks up gray matter tied to focus and empathy.
That’s a technical way of saying meditation helps you control emotional impulses and connect with people more deeply.
When Oprah sits with herself twice a day, she’s not just recharging — she’s also training her brain for better self-control, empathy, and resilience.
3. She leans into empathy in every conversation
If you’ve ever watched Oprah interview someone — be it a celebrity sharing a career milestone or a victim of personal trauma — you’ve probably felt the compassion in her voice.
She listens actively, clarifies gently, and often mirrors the emotional tone of whoever she’s speaking to.
This isn’t a polished TV trick — it’s a genuine empathy muscle she exercises daily.
Why does this matter for trust?
Because empathy is often the glue that holds relationships together.
Let that sink in: when leaders — or anyone, really — demonstrate they truly care about others’ feelings, it fosters loyalty and credibility. We’re wired to trust people who show they understand us.
Even though Oprah’s not your traditional corporate manager, she’s effectively a leader of her own media realm — guiding teams, producing shows, and curating massive events like her popular “Oprah’s Lifeclass.”
Empathy is probably the reason audiences have historically felt safe opening up, whether it’s on-camera or through letters and social media. She doesn’t just ask questions; she validates experiences and offers space for vulnerability.
That approach cements her as an ally you can rely on, even if you’ve never met her personally.
4. She tells personal stories that spark the brain’s “trust hormone”
One of Oprah’s calling cards is her openness.
She doesn’t just interview others — she shares her own struggles and breakthroughs along the way.
Think about those iconic moments, like when she discussed her experiences with abuse or her journey with weight. She uses narrative arcs that resonate deeply, sometimes even turning a single anecdote into a powerful life lesson.
This isn’t just a knack for storytelling.
The thing is that well-told personal stories trigger oxytocin, making audiences 22× more likely to remember (and believe) the messenger.
Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone” or “trust hormone.” When someone tells a compelling story—especially one that’s personal and vulnerable—our brains release this chemical, making us more receptive to their message.
Oprah does this masterfully. She’s tapped into the neuroscience of trust without necessarily calling it that.
5. She gives back consistently — and people notice
Oprah’s philanthropic record is staggering: nearly $2 billion in charitable gifts over her lifetime. She’s built schools in South Africa, supported disaster relief efforts, and funded countless educational initiatives in underserved communities.
You might think giving on that scale is only possible when you have Oprah’s kind of resources, but there’s a deeper principle at work: she doesn’t just give once — she gives consistently and aligns her brand with service to others.
When your actions show concern for the greater good, people are more inclined to trust you because it demonstrates a values-driven approach. It’s not just about big checks, either.
Habitual community involvement, volunteering, or rallying others to join charitable efforts can have a similar effect.
In Oprah’s case, these giving-back habits span decades. From her early “Oprah’s Angel Network” initiatives to her more recent philanthropic drives, she’s steadily reinforced the message that success and generosity go hand in hand.
That’s a massive trust booster: people see she’s not just about fame or money — she actively uses her platform to make an impact.
6. She prioritizes good sleep to lead better
When you think of Oprah’s day, you might imagine marathon film shoots or back-to-back interviews. But she’s vocal about how crucial it is to be well-rested if you want to function at your highest level.
It makes sense — when you’re exhausted, it’s harder to listen empathically, maintain emotional balance, or project calm confidence.
Oprah’s on record saying she aims to get around five and a half to six hours of sleep, though she acknowledges seven or eight would be ideal.
The point is, she doesn’t underestimate the power of rest as part of her daily routine.
For the rest of us, this might mean scheduling bedtime like any other essential appointment—making sure we’re not burning the candle at both ends.
After all, trust is a delicate thing.
It can fade fast if people sense you’re too burned out to pay attention or manage your own emotions.
Oprah’s commitment to rest, even if it’s not perfect, shows that she respects her body and mind enough to recharge, which ultimately benefits everyone around her.
7. She reads daily to feed both expertise and humility
Anyone who’s familiar with “Oprah’s Book Club” knows she’s a voracious reader.
She’s said, “Books were my pass to personal freedom,” which underscores her daily reading habit as a trust-building knowledge engine.
And from everything I’ve observed, she doesn’t just pick up books to pass the time — she dives in to broaden her perspective, challenge her assumptions, and learn from other voices.
Why does daily reading translate to trust?
For one, it expands your knowledge base, making you a more informed speaker — whether you’re chatting with colleagues or giving a keynote. It also fosters humility, because the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know.
That humility can be magnetic, especially in a leader or public figure. It says, “I’m always growing, and I don’t have all the answers,” which feels far more genuine than faking expertise or shutting others down.
Bringing it all together
In the end, none of these habits are huge leaps — they’re incremental tweaks that layer on top of one another, forming a genuine, steadfast persona.
What I find so relatable is that, at their core, these habits don’t require extraordinary wealth or celebrity status.
Yes, Oprah has the resources to fund massive philanthropic efforts, but she started small, too. Many of us can pick up a journal, set a regular bedtime, or commit to a brief meditation each day.
The common thread is consistency — Oprah didn’t do these habits just once; she nurtured them over a lifetime.
If there’s a takeaway here, it’s that trust is built, bit by bit, through our everyday choices.
Whether you’re leading a team of five at a local nonprofit or broadcasting to millions, the principles remain the same.
Show gratitude. Stay calm in chaos. Listen deeply. Give back. Get some rest. Keep learning.
Over time, these daily actions shape not only how we feel about ourselves, but how others feel about us, too.
