Imagine this: you're working on a project, but the goals keep shifting. Deadlines? Vague. Expectations? Blurry. You’re not struggling because you don’t know how to do your job—you’re struggling because no one’s told you what “done” looks like.

Sound familiar? It’s a trap many teams fall into. People are left guessing, constantly trying to figure out the target. And it all comes down to one thing: lack of clarity.

But clarity doesn’t mean more rules or constant check-ins. It’s not about adding layers of control. What we need is a lightweight framework—just enough structure to make things clear while leaving space for people to figure out how to get there. I call this the "syllabus model."

Focus with a syllabus, not rules

Think back to your school days. Every class had a syllabus. It didn’t dictate how you should study or approach the material—it simply laid out what was due, when it was due, and how you’d be graded. You had the freedom to choose how you got the work done, but the expectations were crystal clear.

This same approach works wonders in the workplace. Instead of micromanaging every step, define what’s expected: the deliverable, the deadline, and the measure of success. No confusion, no surprises—just a clear roadmap that leaves room for autonomy.

Guardrails for ambiguity

Ambiguity isn’t inherently bad—it can spark creativity. But it only works when paired with a clear framework. The syllabus model embraces ambiguity in how work gets done but removes it from what needs to be delivered.

Think of an essay due in three weeks. You know exactly what’s required: an essay. You have a deadline, and you understand how success will be measured. That’s clarity. Now imagine if instead, you were told you need to "turn something in soon.” That kind of vagueness kills productivity.

Simplify the deliverable, focus on substance

One mistake teams make is overcomplicating deliverables. Whether it’s a strategy document, a design, or a product release, the form should be straightforward. When you strip away the complexity of the format, what’s left is the substance—the real work.

At the end of the day, most deliverables are simple: a piece of writing, a design, or some code. Once you simplify the form, people can channel their energy into creating something meaningful instead of worrying about the structure.

How vague expectations slow everything down

When expectations are fuzzy, everything grinds to a halt. Time is wasted in meetings, emails, and Slack messages just to figure out what’s supposed to happen. Instead of doing the work, people are stuck clarifying what the work is.

The syllabus model eliminates that friction. By setting clear deliverables, realistic deadlines, and agreed-upon success criteria upfront, teams can focus on execution rather than constant back-and-forth about what’s expected.

Structure feeds creativity, not stifles it

There’s a common myth that structure kills creativity. But in reality, a lack of structure is what truly hinders creative work. When expectations are unclear, people spend more time navigating uncertainty than coming up with great ideas.

The syllabus model provides just enough structure to let creativity thrive. It doesn’t dictate the process; it simply clarifies the outcome. When people know what’s expected, they’re free to explore, experiment, and solve problems in the most creative way possible.

Autonomy + clarity = great work

Autonomy doesn’t mean chaos. It means giving people the clarity they need to take ownership of their work. When the destination is clear—when people know what needs to be done and when it’s due—they can manage their own process.

Autonomy without clarity is just guesswork, and that leads to frustration. The syllabus model balances both. It gives teams clear deliverables and deadlines while leaving the path to the finish line wide open.

A simpler way to work

Now, imagine a workplace where everyone knows exactly what they’re responsible for, when it’s due, and what success looks like. No more endless clarifications. No more vague instructions. Just clear expectations, simplified deliverables, and the freedom to get to work.

The syllabus model offers a simple solution for bringing clarity to projects without adding complexity. It’s about reducing friction and keeping things straightforward. Set clear deliverables, define the form, and then trust your team to get there in their own way.

Give your team the syllabus, and you’ll be amazed at what they can achieve when they know where they’re headed.