In the book, Unleashed, written by Co-Founders Rick and Amy Simmons they define liminal space as a period of discontinuity that creates an openness to change.
These inflection points can be imposed upon us by unexpected life events or intentionally curated to drive development. By recognizing these periods and leaning into the discomfort rather than retreating, individuals and organizations can transform adversity into profound growth.

To optimize these transitions, telos provides a clear, four-phase framework:

preparation

This phase differentiates curated liminality from imposed liminality by allowing you to intentionally gear up for the challenge ahead . It involves identifying your enduring values, setting clear intentions, cultivating self-awareness, and building a supportive community.  

catalyst

 This is the intentional disruption to your routine that thrusts you into the unknown . By breaking your typical patterns, the catalyst opens your worldview and shifts your perspective, creating a greater capability for absorbing new insights.

integration

In this phase, you evaluate what you have learned and determine how to weave those lessons into your daily life . It bridges the disruptive experience and your ongoing reality, often involving a process of "re-contracting" to establish which behaviors and relationships you want to maintain long-term.

sustainability

The final phase focuses on embedding the newly learned behaviors into your life or organizational operating system  . It requires ongoing discipline, evaluation, and repetition to ensure these new choices become ingrained habits.