Noise: Why Your Message Isn’t Landing at Work

Editorial note: This essay forms part of Cultivated’s wider body of work on communication, clarity, and how ideas become valuable through better conversations.

Noise: Why Your Message Isn’t Landing at Work

Whenever we communicate, we are affected by noise.

In communication theory, noise refers to anything that interferes with a message — how it’s sent, how it’s received, and how it’s understood. Noise is everywhere, especially at work.

The more we understand noise, the better chance we have of cutting through it, landing our message, and achieving our purpose with the people we’re communicating with.

Communication isn’t as simple as it looks

It’s tempting to think communication is straightforward.

You have an idea.
You share it.
Someone receives it.
Job done.

Except that’s rarely how it works.

The sender has to encode an idea clearly.
The receiver has to decode it accurately.
The medium has to support the message.

And at every stage, noise can interfere.

Understanding noise helps explain why messages fail, why people misunderstand each other, and why “I’ve already explained this” is one of the most common phrases in organisations.

The Shannon and Weaver model (and where noise appears)

One of the simplest ways to understand this comes from the Shannon and Weaver model of communication.

It starts with a source — you. You have a purpose: an idea, a request, a story, a decision.

You encode that purpose into a message. This might be spoken words, an email, a slide deck, a video, or a document.

That message is sent via a channel or medium — conversation, email, video call, presentation, poster.

The audience then decodes the message and decides what it means — and what to do next (if anything).

Noise is anything that interferes at any point in that chain.

Four types of noise that affect communication

Over time, I’ve found it helpful to group noise into four broad categories. This is the model I teach managers and leaders today.

1. Physiological noise

This relates to the physical state of the sender and receiver.

Hearing differences, speech clarity, fatigue, stress, and energy levels all influence how communication is sent and received.

Communication is shaped by our state — physical, mental, and emotional. When we’re tired, overloaded, or under pressure, it’s harder to listen carefully, choose words well, or stay present.

Effective communication is supported when people have the capacity — time, energy, and psychological safety — to engage fully.

2. Physical noise

These are the most obvious forms of interference.

Inbox overload where important messages get buried.
Information overload from constant notifications.
Noisy offices.
Poor video or audio quality.
Physical barriers like screens, desks, or cameras turned off.

Even the environment can work against us.

Managers often underestimate how much physical noise exists in modern workplaces — and how often it prevents messages from landing.

3. Psychological noise

This is one of the most powerful — and overlooked — forms of noise.

Our mindset, emotions, confidence, and assumptions all shape how we communicate and how we listen.

Stress, anxiety, fear, boredom, power dynamics, and personality differences all matter.

Someone worried about job security will hear messages differently.
Someone under pressure may stop listening altogether.
Someone speaking to a senior leader may feel intimidated and communicate less clearly.

None of this is rational — but it is human.

Good communicators pay attention to what’s happening around the message, not just the message itself.

4. Semantic noise

This is about meaning.

Words matter — and they are often interpreted differently than we expect.

Jargon confuses.
Long words obscure meaning.
Technical language excludes.
Ambiguity creates assumptions.

Clear communication requires choosing words deliberately, especially when speaking across functions, cultures, or levels of experience.

The goal isn’t to sound clever. It’s to be understood.

The responsibility of the communicator

Yes, communication is a shared act. The listener has a role to play.

But responsibility sits primarily with the sender.

It’s on us to:

• Choose the right medium
• Reduce unnecessary noise
• Adapt our language
• Consider timing and context
• Be in a fit state to communicate
• Help others be in a fit state to receive

Good communication takes effort. It takes practice. And it takes awareness.

A useful reflection

When a message doesn’t land, ask yourself:

Was noise at play?
Which kind?
What could I change next time?

Could I simplify the message?
Change the medium?
Reduce the audience?
Shift the environment?
Wait for a better moment?

Understanding noise won’t eliminate communication problems — but it will dramatically improve your chances of being understood.

And in work, that makes all the difference.