We facilitate a process for coming together,
to tackle challenging issues,
anchored in deep respect for human dignity. Enabling people to think
independently and collectively,
with rigour, imagination, and grace.
Co-Founders
John Eklund BEc, GradDipOrgBehav
John has designed and delivered significant Organisation Transformation and Leadership Development projects as both an employee in large organisations and as a consultant.
He is Director and Founder of Cornerstone Integral Solutions; a unique consultancy whose aim is to partner with clients to lead, engage and align their people in a sustainable, humane and integral way. As part of the Cornerstone Integral Solutions offering developed during COVID, he ran “Thinking Sprints” for business leaders.
Most recently, he has collaborated with Gregor Ptok in the “Heirloom Knowledge Collection”.
He brings a passion and energy for helping people with the challenge of living and working with a diverse range of perspectives, by allowing people the time to think and contribute (in the knowledge and ease that they are being listened to) and adding value through providing processes and systems (to encourage teamwork and collaborative thinking to achieve outcomes).
Gregor Ptok LLB, LLM
Gregor’s career included:
- assisting individuals as employment consultant and
- local government organisations as management consultant.
Throughout, his focus has always been human wellbeing, dignity and flourishing. To assist organisations develop awareness of the needs of their people, for Gregor, one work stream for many years was the gathering and analysing of people and culture data. Most recently responsive to the Gender Equality Act.
As “global citizen” – at home in the English- and Non-English-speaking world – Gregor has a keen interest in world affairs, different cultures, and the impact of humans on Earth and non-human life.
Sensing we are living in times of great transformation, Gregor’s focus has shifted to what is essential to preserve and pass on to future generations.
In 2025 Gregor, worked with John Eklund to document “Heirloom Knowledge” about “Collaboration, Culture, and Leadership”.
Our Origin Story
The December 2025 Bondi Beach Terror Attack brought communication and collaboration into sharper focus.
“The world around us has become so divided that it makes the concept of sitting together in a room and respectfully listening to different people’s perspectives a radical concept, and that is sad.”
Rosemarie Milsom (after the Adelaide Writers’ Festival was cancelled)
We started applying our knowledge to designing and delivering “Community Conversations” and a “Social Cohesion Program”, enabling people with different backgrounds to come together and explore different perspectives on challenging issues – with deep respect for each other’s human dignity.
To give identity to our work, the business name “Collaborative Thinking Experiences” was registered in April 2026. From 1 July 2026, we will be incorporated.
Together –
Edward Everett Hale
one of the most inspiring words
in the English language.
Coming together is a beginning;
Keeping together is progress;
Working together is success.
Network of Trusted Facilitators
All facilitators involved in Collaborative Thinking Experiences are longstanding, trusted colleagues and Time to Think accredited Facilitators.
They have been fully inducted in delivering Collaborative Thinking Experiences and contribute to our ongoing continuous improvement processes.
- Candice Smith
- Cassie Goodman
- Cathy Duvel
- Duncan Smith
- Nika Malek
- Rachel Audige
- Sarah Dalziel
If you want to go fast, go alone.
Proverb
If you want to go far, go together