At the 2026 Nordic Business Forum, Oprah Winfrey offered a wide-ranging reflection on work, life and what it means to make a difference. Along the way, she shared stories, observations and a few unexpected sources of wisdom.
Oprah Winfrey, 72, oozed with palpable energy in a gray dress and round-framed glasses under the bright but warm lights, and warm was the welcome, too, of the thousands in attendance at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Center: businesspeople in suits and dresses, excited in their seats to hear what the legendary talk show host and journalist, Oscar-nominated actress and film producer, philanthropist and educator, had to say.
One message she repeated was: trust your GPS.
Whenever she ignored it, things went wrong, or she had to take a long, winding detour.
We are talking about another word for intuition here, just to be clear.
Here’s another one: the best ideas are born in the hot tub. Sitting there, mind wandering, the answer arrives in silence.
But it doesn’t have to be a tub. Oprah was well aware that Finns love saunas, so sitting in the sauna could have the same effect as well. Skip the beer and use the time to think and meditate.
Oprah dug deeper. People should seek to fulfill their highest purpose. In other words: pour everything out of your pockets no matter what you do for a living. If you’re a plumber, “My God, we need you,” Oprah said.
It also helps to realize that every prior moment has led to where you are now. No past experience, according to Oprah, is a waste.
And remember: luck or chance is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity!
For teams looking for success, Oprah recommended asking the following questions:
Are we in alignment with our goals? Did we do what we said we would do?
When she hosted her talk show, everyone who worked there contributed to its success. The person who cleaned the toilets said he liked working there because he felt part of the team.
For people who think their career is their purpose and legacy, Oprah had one thing to say.
“Don’t make it your whole life,” she said.
“Your legacy is every life you touched.”
