Tuning the Frequency

Entrepreneurs and the Signal to Noise Ratio

By Jerry Grundman

Noise is everywhere.

For entrepreneurs, it shows up as advice you didn’t ask for, pressure to grow faster, distractions disguised as opportunities, and the inner chatter that says you’re falling behind.

In the middle of all that, the signal gets harder to hear.

Kevin O’Leary said it like this:

“Success comes down to one thing: cutting through the noise. Steve Jobs was brutal about it… Today, Elon Musk is the same way, 100 percent signal and zero noise. If you can’t filter out the distractions, you’ll never reach your full potential. Stay focused on what moves the needle.”

He also said Jobs operated at around 85 percent signal, while Musk walks away the second something becomes irrelevant.

“If you can’t add value, he’s out.” O’Leary said.

That may sound extreme, but there’s a real lesson in it.

What You’re Tuning Into

Signal is your clarity.

It’s your values, your mission, your focus.

Noise is everything else.

The client opportunity that’s not a fit, but feels hard to say no to.

The industry trend pulling your energy in the wrong direction.

The friend or relative who questions why you’re doing this at all.

We all hear it.

The difference is whether we let it guide us.

Filtering As Leadership

This isn’t about shutting people out or pretending you have it all figured out.

It’s about knowing what deserves your attention, and what doesn’t.

Being able to pause in the middle of the noise and ask,

Does this move me toward what matters?

Is this mine to carry?

Filtering takes practice. But it’s one of the most important habits you can build.

The clearer the signal, the stronger the leadership.

And the more grounded your business becomes.