Leadership is about relationships and these are the seven most important traits of the inspirational leader. An inspirational leader should be:

1. Communicative. Share information, expectations, challenges, conflicts, and advice, and you’ll keep your team working on the right projects with the right attitude. When appropriate, explain the reasoning behind requirements and decisions. Even when you don’t know the answer, always keep the lines of communications open, and don’t be afraid to admit, “I don’t know.” (But ensure that you seek out the answer immediately and pass that on to keep the two way communication channels open.)

2. Collaborative. The best leaders seek input from all stakeholders, from the customer to the partners to the administrators. Share your vision, accept feedback in many forms, and delegate responsibility as well as certain low- and mid-level decisions to make sure everyone feels they are part of the process. Understand each individual’s strengths, and put them in a position to succeed. By giving each member ownership over their own effort, you’ll empower them to do their best work that most represents their dedication and expertise.

3. Accountable. Confronting people can be difficult, but when someone doesn’t follow through, you must have the courage to call them out, reassign tasks, or even release them from the project. You must expect your team members to deliver on their commitments, but just as important is that you keep your promises and admit that if you make a mistake, you own up to it and address it immediately.

4. Honest. A leader is nothing without his or her credibility. Develop the trust of your team members, bosses, and other stakeholders by being truthful and direct at every stage of the process. This is especially important when conflicts arise; if you deal with them frankly and candidly, you will gain the confidence of those around you and move through issues gracefully. You will be recognised as a leader of integrity.

5. Passionate. Whatever you do, you must live, breathe, and dive into your mission. Believing in the importance of the job will endow it with value, allowing you to better engage and inspire your team members. You prove that your interest is not just functional but also emotional, and your conviction will serve as an inspiration and a resource. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson: ‘Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success …. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.’

6. Fearless. You must be willing to take calculated risks and stick your neck out in certain situations. Build a team you trust, and drive toward the vision which clarifies the way forward. Mistakes occur in every situation, in every environment, and under the leadership of everyone on the planet. Learn from those mistakes and move on.

7. Humble. As the leader, you are responsible for the entire outcome, but that doesn’t mean you’re the only one who got there. Give credit where it is due, and do not hold onto a need to achieve personal satisfaction through praise. Celebrate the successes of your team members.