Marcel Marcondes is the U.S. Chief Marketing Officer for Anheuser-Busch.

We talked about what he's learned about leading a culture that embraces minorities after experiencing racism in his own life.

And about the need to show up as a human being first and a leader second.

We also talked about why he's listening now, more than ever. And then turning what he hears into action.

That last point is especially important, I think.

Listening has become a new metric for leaders. But if listening is all you do, you're hoping someone else will make the tough calls.

In this extraordinary time in which we're living, some leaders are stepping forward and it's remarkable to see. Others are sliding back, behind the cover of chaos, their communications and digital body language filled with excuses and justifications for decisions that they hope no one will notice or they hope will soon be forgotten.

Hope is necessary for all of us. But it has never been a strategy and it is not a substitute for making hard decisions.

So, as you look at the people you're responsible for, maybe ask yourself this.

Are you leading? Or just hoping?