C3MD - Conscious Capitalism of Central Maryland

Drawing Outside the Lines: Conscious Culture with Mary Jo Neil

* Special thanks to Mary Jo Neil for the beautiful banner above.

If you’ve ever been to a Conscious Capitalism of Central Maryland (C3MD) event, you know we’re not exactly the spreadsheets-and-handshakes type. But our June meeting? It definitely cranked up the creativity. Picture this: a virtual room full of professionals earnestly drawing each other with their non-dominant hands without looking at the paper. If that’s not a good time in the name of conscious business, we don’t know what is.

Our special guest and creative guide for the day was C3MD member Mary Jo Neil, founder of Drawn Dialogue, Certified Humor Professional, visual thinker extraordinaire—and unofficial queen of the “yes, and” mindset. With her warm energy and playful style, Mary Jo turned what could have been another run-of-the-mill Zoom meeting into a delightfully different and fun exploration of conscious culture.

Tracy Turner introduced the topic: the business of culture. Conscious capitalism isn’t just a buzzword—it’s about ethical, intentional leadership that creates value for everyone involved. Mary Jo helped us see how play, creativity, and trust-building are foundational to that vision.

Drawing, Laughing, and Saying “Yes…and”

Mary Jo led us through a series of exercises that tested our comfort zones and flexed our creative muscles. We drew each other’s faces using our non-dominant hands (think “abstract Picasso” meets “kindergarten art class”) while looking at our partner instead of the page. It was hilarious, humbling, and surprisingly bonding. “No inner critics allowed” was the rule, and the results—squiggly, charming portraits full of personality—spoke for themselves.

From there, we dived into improv. Ever tried planning a vacation using only the phrase, “Yes, and,” to build off your partner’s ideas? Tracy and Wendy did, and their imaginary journey had us all ready to pack our bags for an epic mix of NYC sightseeing and backwoods camping. The lesson? Collaboration works best when we resist the urge to shut ideas down and instead let them evolve—awkward, joyful, and creative as they may be.

Tasks and Teams… and Bikes?

One of the most memorable metaphors of the day came in the form of two circles and a bicycle. In Mary Jo’s visual storytelling exercise, one circle represented the task, and one represented the team. Connected by a triangle of communication and purpose, they formed a bicycle—a symbol of balance and movement. As Mary Jo explained, when we focus too

C3MD, Conscious Capitalism, Conscious Culture
William G. Dyer “Two Worlds”

much on tasks and not enough on people, the whole thing wobbles.

Key Takeaways (Beyond Our Unflattering Portraits)

  • Culture is co-created: Whether through improv games, sketching, or storytelling, conscious culture grows when we invite everyone to participate.
  • Play builds trust: These “silly” exercises aren’t fluff—they’re foundations for real connection and psychological safety in teams.
  • Creativity isn’t optional: In conscious businesses, it’s not about ping pong tables or casual Fridays—it’s about intentionally nurturing curiosity, empathy, and open-mindedness.
  • Balance the bike: Don’t just check off to-dos. Make time for your people, too.

C3MD, Conscious Capitalism, Balanced Bike

What’s Next?

While we’re still recovering from the collective giggle fit of seeing each other’s drawings, we’re also looking ahead. Here’s what’s on deck:

  • An in-person meeting is brewing for late August or early September.
  • Ignite Howard County is coming October 20—mark your calendars!
  • Maria’s leading the member-bring-a-member campaign—spread the word!
  • And don’t forget to check out Mary Jo’s website for her incredible graphic recordings—especially her work on Conscious Capitalism and Reimagining Racial Equity.

In short: if you missed this event, we missed you. But don’t worry—there’s more joy, more growth, and more unconventional fun to come. Stay curious. Say “yes, and.” And maybe practice your non-dominant drawing skills… just in case.

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