Take on inspiring role in puzzle (6)
I believe the answer is:
bemuse
'puzzle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'take on inspiring role' is the wordplay.
'take' becomes 'be' (being is a kind of taking).
'on' is an insertion indicator (as in clothing \'on\' a person).
'inspiring role' becomes 'emus' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'be' enclosing 'emus' is 'BEMUSE'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for bemuse that I've seen before include "Confuse, bewilder" , "Bewilder or baffle" , "Nonplus" , "Floor" , "Perplex" .)