There is an urgent need for talent management professionals to source authentic informal leaders. These are those leaders who inspire all around them through their own work but maintain a sense of trust and authenticity across the organization. These kind of leaders aren’t always the star performers but prefer being in the engine room. They do not always accept hierarchy or protocol but behave like their true selves. These people get bogged down by formal communication channels such as project report statuses. Instead they rely on direct face-to-face interaction. Unfortunately some such leaders lack the patience or perseverance levels to stick out at one place for too long. Once they succeed at a place, they look to move on, but generate enormous productivity till they are there.

Source:  http://www.strategy-business.com/blog/How-to-Find-and-Engage-Authentic-Informal-Leaders