There is nothing more important than a DBA taking responsibility for the protection of a company's data and I really like the part about confidence as well.

Many times I've been at odds with so called IT specialists or our customers that try to cut corners and implement some hair brained scheme to protect the data and when this happens I have to be willing to take it to the mat with anyone and everyone that questions my position.

Another trait that I find to be very important but sadly lacking from many dba's (or technical people in general) is the ability to be personable with those who are not technical at all.

We have the kind of job where everyone in the organization is going to want to bug us for information they can't otherwise get and often times the people asking are in a position to champion us to those who hold the coffers.

I've made more money as a DBA by going out of my way to be helpful, and also having the ability and patience to understand what someone has tried to ask for than i have just learning the latest bells and whistles on some rdbms and incorporating them into my projects.