Users and facilitators around the world connect to one another, build off each others ideas of how and where to use the Blueprint of WE/State of Grace Document, and create and share their own blogs, groups, and chats. Join us.

The Center for
Collaborative Awareness

Email:
conversations@
BlueprintofWE.com
Phone:
(+1) 847-859-9046

The Creators

Blueprint of We creators, Maureen McCarthy and Zelle Nelson
doing their own, graceful, effortless, exhilarating dance.

The Blueprint of WE (a.k.a. State of Grace Document) concept was created by Maureen K. McCarthy and Zelle Nelson, as they first began their dating relationship in 1998. After seeing its impact, they went on to create Documents with family and friends. Eventually, through their international consulting firm, Engaging the Soul @ Work, they made the decision to solely use Blueprint of WE Collaboration Documents with their clients, rather than traditional legal contracts. Their clients, including global corporations, governments and universities — organizations who often live and die by their contracts — have all been willing to create Blueprint of WE Collaboration Documents as their business contract. And every client has gone on to create their own Collaboration Documents because they see the powerful impact it has on their day-to-day business interactions and the bottom line. As Stephen Covey, Jr. puts it, it's about the "speed of trust."

As international leadership consultants, large group facilitators, senior executive coaches and keynote speakers, Maureen and Zelle are dynamic communicators, pioneering advancements in business and personal relationship tools within corporations and communities across the globe. They are a true living example of effortless relationship at work and at home.

At Work
In Zelle's words: "We created a 1-page Blueprint of WE Collaboration Document for our company, Engaging the Soul @ Work, which we give to new and potential clients. It's an excellent way to begin the relationship, to share with people what we're all about and how we work. We then invite the client to write their half, and it's on this foundation that our work together is built. It has turned every client into a friend because you start from such a profoundly different space of trust, knowledge and mindful relationship design."

At Home
In Maureen's words: "We're amazed at how creating a Blueprint of WE Collaboration Document at the beginning of our relationship so deeply impacted our lives, even now, after many years of marriage. Because we co-own our business, we spend 24 hours a day together, and it's not nearly enough time. Our relationship feels effortless and exhilarating, and yet it's the most peaceful experience I've ever had. I always thought peace would be a bit boring, but trust me, it's a thrill ride!"

I have to admit, I am still a little (well maybe a lot) speechless. I’m not sure how else to explain it besides amazing; you were both so warm, knowledgeable and incredibly inspiring. I cannot thank you enough for the work you are doing. I could listen to you for hours longer and learn so much more. In that short time you taught me concepts and tools that will be with me for the rest of my life. — G.F., Chicago, USA

Maureen and Zelle have worked to create places where people actually look forward to going to work. Workplaces where everyone's knowledge, passions and interests rise to the surface to create a stronger, more vibrant company or community. They engage an organization on many levels by transcending the hierarchy. They show every individual how to do the Dance of Leader and Follower and give them the tools to better balance people and profits. People spend more time at work than anywhere else, and when a person doesn't feel respected and appreciated in their work environment, it ultimately affects their personal life, as well as the life and profit of the company. Strong profits being integral in the health of an organization.

Maureen and Zelle are gifted communicators of foundational thoughts, feelings, and ideas. They have a compelling grasp of the power of storytelling and are known for encouraging even the largest audience to their feet to participate. Their power resides in the numerous tools, ideas and network of people they makes use of in an almost intuitive sense. They facilitate large group change initiatives and are trained facilitators in The Work, Open Space, and World Cafe, among many other tools.

Maureen and Zelle live in Asheville, NC, USA in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains with their daughter, Kate, and their son, Kerrigan. They are deeply grateful to be caretakers of a 158-year-old stone house in a forest of 300-year-old trees where they often hold retreats and workshops. It is a magical sanctuary which was once the ceremonial grounds of the Native American Cherokee Indians.

Creating a New Normal

Below is a short video about Blueprint of WE Collaboration Document creator, Maureen McCarthy, and how she lives an extraordinary life with a rare, fatal lung disease. It is a fascinating and very unusual way of being in the world. (The video was created by her daughter, Kate, when she was 15-years-old.)

Learning from Maureen & Zelle, who share from a heart space and from personal experience, is a bigger gift than I could have imagined. Something in me opens more to enable me to learn and take action in my own life when the new information comes from such authentic, unconditionally accepting souls. I have attended many workshops and retreats over the past 15 years, and my growing curve, as well as the gifts that have come into my life since I have taken their workshop, has been incredible!
— D.R. North Carolina, USA

"Maureen and Zelle were masters at getting our large audience involved. So much so that we switched gears for the rest of the afternoon to keep the momentum going." — L. L., Sales Director, Solo Cup Company

"They have tools that bring out the knowledge that exists in the room. The knowledge we hadn't made use of in the company until then. Now that's a good investment." — L. F., Global Vice President of IT, Fortune 50 company

"I had a tough audience to please and could never have imagined the positive response Maureen received. Not just on the day, but people talking about it for ages afterwards." — T. B., CMO, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business

"We brought Maureen and Zelle to the U.K. for what we thought would be one event. But they created such a stir, that we called them back to help us take the passion they initiated for the company, further through the organization." — D. Lovely, Chief of Staff, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Fortune 50 company

"Maureen is a true frontline dynamo, any person in business, or a relationships of any kind, would benefit from Maureen's brilliant ideas." — L. P., Sageheart Alliance

"The small added expense to move to the new office the way we did with Zelle was well worth it in terms of productivity and enthusiasm." — S. B., Business Unit Leader, Fortune 50 company

"The Blueprintof WE Collaboration Document is a concept the international business world has sorely been in need of. It's a revolutionary idea whose time has come. ...[Maureen McCarthy] is a true pioneer and a great speaker!"
— S. O., Director, Common Bond Institute and President, Association for Humanistic Psychology

Clients Include

• The World Relief Organization

• Fast Company Magazine

• International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers

• University of Chicago Graduate School of Business

• U.K. Government-
Dept. of Trade and Industry

• Piece of Pie Financial

• Solo Cup Company

• Governance Alive

• Bay Area
Non-Violent Communication (NVC)