More from the Woman Who Brought You the Lockout ...

The following statement from Virginia Hepner just beats all.  I've been in the corporate world a long time ... long enough to know that as soon as you start believing in your own bullshit, if you'll pardon the expression, you are in danger of completely losing touch with reality.  If Hepner is, in fact, 'living her values', I have nothing but pity for the people of Atlanta ... the appalling damage she and her minions are wreaking on this great city's premier arts institution -- and specifically to its orchestra -- will have grave repercussions, felt by every school child, every teacher, every young up-coming musician. 

People in this city who used to attend concerts and who gave generously to the symphony do not do either one any more. They don't want their money squandered by a top-heavy, bean-counting, thug-ridden bureaucracy that wouldn't know an arpeggio from a (name your rat part here).  The hemorrhage of patrons, forced out by the WAC Board which packed its numbers to do their bidding, is nothing short of disgraceful.  Who gave the WAC Board that mandate?

Chorus members:  we do our jobs well, or else we wouldn't be a member of this chorus.  You were chosen.  The entire world knows our value.  But the institution we represent is being managed by a bunch of greedy, self-serving people who actually say things like 'building organizational trust' ... while spreading lies and misinformation to the media about their motives and activities.  

So read it and weep.  Better yet, get righteously angry ...


“In my opinion, the biggest leadership challenge in our current environment is to gain commitment to the culture. You do that by building organizational trust. My job is to lead change and acknowledge that it will continue and to do so in a time when people find it risky to commit to one company. Realistically, I believe most people need and want to be a part of a successful team.”

“If I were giving advice to the next generation of leaders, I would tell them to know yourself and know what drives you. Be honest. Do your job well, be flexible, and be visible. Equally importantly, align yourself with people of character who are genuinely interested in you and marry sound business strategies with talented people. I believe that’s a strong formula for success.”

“Of course, success itself is not just about business but rather living your values with your family, your clients, and everyone with whom you come in contact.”

“I didn’t always have the experience for a particular position, but I had strong management skills. I also believe in assessing your team and tapping into the different strengths each person brings to the table.”

-Virginia A Hepner

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