Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Leadership isn’t just about speaking with clarity, it’s about listening with purpose. And one of the most underrated tools I’ve used to improve how I lead is something simple but powerful: a listening log. It’s not a formal report or checklist. It’s a personal record of the conversations that matter, the feedback I hear, and the patterns I notice.
When leaders start capturing what they hear, not just to remember, but to learn—they become more attuned to their teams. They spot trends. They connect dots. And most importantly, they respond with more clarity and care.
1. What Is a Listening Log?
A listening log is a running list or journal where you capture key insights from team conversations. It can be as simple as a notebook or a digital doc. What matters is your intention: to understand what your team is really saying over time.
You might log feedback from one-on-ones, recurring themes in meetings, questions that surface, or even tone and body language. Over time, it becomes a mirror of your team’s evolving needs, concerns, and aspirations.
2. Why It Matters in Leadership
I’ve seen how easy it is to forget small but significant things people share—a worry about a new process, a request for support, a spark of an idea. With a listening log, those things don’t fall through the cracks. They become action points. And when you circle back to them, your team feels seen and valued.
That’s where trust is built. Not just in grand gestures, but in small moments of follow-through.
3. How to Start Using One
- Keep it simple: Use a tool you already like—a notes app, Google Doc, or even a notebook.
- Capture the spirit, not just the words: You don’t need transcripts. Focus on themes and takeaways.
- Review regularly: Once a week, scan your log. Ask yourself, “What am I hearing? What’s changing? What needs my attention?”
Final Thought
Leadership growth doesn’t always come from big trainings or books. Sometimes, it comes from paying closer attention. Listening logs aren’t just about documenting conversations—they’re about deepening your awareness, improving your response, and showing your team that their voices are more than heard. They’re remembered.
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UPGRADE your Mindset
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