When was the last time you worked for a really great leader? Every once in a while we are fortunate to come across a shining trailblazer who inspires us to work harder, stretch ourselves and shoot for higher aspirations. But that is typically not the case. In fact, inspiring leaders—those for whom you want to work hard and achieve great things—are pretty rare. But just because you might not have had the luxury of working for an inspiring leader, doesn't mean that you can't be one yourself.

In a recent Inc. magazine article, author and CMO John White shared his seven tips for becoming a leader who inspires others.

1. Be supportive. Well this might sound obvious, but many managers are not supportive. They don't back up their employees or give very little direction when they assign tasks. Don't do this to your employees. Be approachable and always support them--especially in meetings.

2. Harness the power of praise. White says that positive reinforcement is one of the most effective tools for a person in a leadership role. If you want your employees to like working for you and to perform their best, give them some praise every once in a while. Let them know you appreciate their hard work.

3. Lead by example. Work as hard as you want your employees to work for you. Have a good work ethic, be honest and be transparent. Do simple things like show up to work on time.

4. Be social. Do things throughout the year to bring your team together and have some fun. This increases morale and allows for connections to form. Nobody likes working for a manager who hides in her office all day interacting only through email.

5. Listen. Make sure your employees' voices are heard and listen to their ideas. Nothing stifles progress more than shooting down every idea your employees offer.

6. Be generous. Studies show that companies that offer incentives for longevity have a greater retention rate. Whether it is a raise, bonus, additional time off, a better title or a combination of these, incentives for long tenure should be a part of your employee retention strategy.

7. Manage with authority, not fear. There's a difference between authority and tyranny. You can be authoritative and respectful at the same time. If you are a micro manager or just plain bossy, you'll lose the respect of your team.

Source: John White is the CMO and founder of Social Marketing Solutions. He is also a brand ambassador for beBee—a startup social-media site based on affinity networking with 10.5 million global users. White writes on the crossroads of social media, entrepreneurialism, startups and marketing. Last year, he completed his MBA in marketing. White lives with his wife and two daughters in Fort Collins, Colorado.