Unleashed

What if you could catalyze your own transformation? Authors Rick and Amy Simmons first uncovered liminal space—the idea that periods of uncertainty have the power to reshape our lives—while studying abroad for their graduate program in organizational behavior. Shortly afterward, they began experimenting with another idea: rather than waiting for an inflection point to occur, they could launch it themselves—curating their own liminal experiences and accelerating their growth. Helping others navigate liminality and create it themselves became the heart of their work. Unleashed: Harnessing the Power of Liminal Space is a two-part guide, illuminating the potential of liminality for individuals, teams, and organizations, and breaking down its elements so readers can launch their own liminal experiences. With stories from leaders helming organizations of all sizes, from a regional health facility to a corporation with products in 90 percent of American homes, Unleashed provides the practical and theoretical insights necessary for transformation. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be used to support the telos Leadership Foundation.

RICK SIMMONS and Amy Simmons are the founders of the telos institute, a leading global organizational development firm specializing in business strategy, leadership development, and change management. As CEO, Rick guides the vision and strategic direction of the firm. Previously, he held senior strategy and sales leadership positions within the financial services industry. Both earned masters of science degrees in organizational behavior from Case Western’s Weatherhead School of Management, where they met. Partners in work and life, they live in Ohio with their four children. AMY SIMMONS is telos’s chief experience officer, drawing on her background in adult learning theory, curriculum, and course development to align client development needs with content delivery throughout the organization. Prior to founding telos, she served in various coaching, training, career management, and recruiting roles.

AUTHORS’ NOTE . FOREWORD. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. INTRODUCTION. what is liminal space? our wilderness experience. the value of vulnerability. the power of purpose. maintaining perspective and purpose through change. what if we could catalyze our own transformation? preparation. catalyst. integration. sustainability. what will you do? who will you be? ABOUT THE AUTHORS. APPENDIX: