Moving from Us and Them to You, Me, and We
Dear Friends,
As the new Executive Director, some of you may be wondering: Who is Melissa? How will she lead the Center? I’m delighted to share a little about myself today and, over the next few months, to learn more about everyone in the BCBS community.
After more than 30 years in nonprofit organizations, I’ve developed a guiding principle: to support everyone in the community to enthusiastically show up, grow, learn, and contribute—as best as I am able. That final phrase—as best as I am able—comes from my many years of practice: there are always causes and conditions beyond our control.
To bring this principle to life, I believe four key elements must be woven into every system, process, and practice: diverse perspectives, earnest curiosity, collaboration, and strengths-based approaches. These elements are interdependent – you need all of them.
- Diverse perspectives create outcomes that have a lasting impact. I never hire “mini-mes.” Why pay someone to think exactly like me when talking to myself is free?
- Earnest curiosity builds bridges. When we genuinely seek to understand one another, we can transform differences into meaningful outcomes.
- Collaboration drives success. As Professor Linda Hill’s research shows, the best outcomes emerge when diverse groups work together—including through constructive disagreement. To paraphrase Annie Lennox: behind every great leader stands an unsung team.
- Strengths-based approaches unlock potential. Productivity doesn’t come from suffering. It comes from workplaces that leverage people’s unique talents, learning styles, lived experiences, and cultural context—and that generously offer professional development to support everyone’s thriving.
The Wicked Elephants Cooperative says it beautifully: “Moving from us and them to you, me and, we” is a better path forward, even if it’s more challenging.
I invite you to join me on the path to building a “we”. Please share your experiences of BCBS—what you love and what you hope to see us change. New things come from old things newly seen. With my fresh eyes, I hope to support us in charting a path forward together.
À propos de qui je suis—j’ai grandi à Montréal et je suis une passionnée des Canadiens et de La Victoire. (A little background about me: I grew up in Montreal, and I am still a passionate fan of both the Canadiens and La Victoire)
With gratitude,
Melissa Gopnik
Executive Director
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
