In a competitive world – both commercially, and in terms of the labour market – organisations are searching for the magic ingredient which will turbocharge their people, making them more engaged and motivated, committed and flexible. For many, ‘inspirational leadership’ offers this promise.

Inspirational leadership is a key part of the skills, innovation and management mix needed of world-class organisations. The DTI’s Innovation Report set out the challenge: “UK companies will have to compete more in the future on unique, high value-added and innovative products and services. This will require inspirational leadership, stronger management and leadership skills, a highly skilled workforce, a flexible labour market that promotes diversity and fair treatment, and high performance workplaces.”

Profile explicitly challenges top managers to become role models for inspirational leadership, generating mutual trust through having a sense of purpose, being honest, showing passion and encouraging others to share their vision and follow their lead. Underlying this concept is a large and demanding raft of skills, attitudes, personal traits - and above all behaviours.

Inspirational leadership is explored throughout the Profile framework, from the communication of core values, through to the creation of a culture of feedback and learning. It looks for the characteristics of an entrepreneur – seizing opportunity and looking to the future. But modern leadership is not about being a lone autocrat, barking commands at the troops. Particularly in larger organisations, inspirational leaders need to encourage others to lead, develop a culture of sharing and teamwork, recognise the contribution people make, and use the tools of recruitment, development and reward creatively to motivate people and make the most of talent wherever it lies.