I think that one of the best ways to learn leadership isn’t studying “leadership” at all. Instead, study individual leaders in their natural habitat and decide what they do that you want to try. Articles by and about leaders and interviews with them are mini-case studies that show you an actual leader in a real situation.

That’s why, every week, I bring you a selection of post about individual leaders. This week I’m pointing you to pieces by and about Larry Baer, Mark Bertolini, Alfred Sorensen, Rodney O’Neal, and Larry Griggers.

From Brian Costa: Baseball Champions’ CEO on Creating a Culture of Success

“Overseeing all this is Larry Baer, the Giants’ president and chief executive officer, who has been with the franchise since 1992. Mr. Baer talked with The Wall Street Journal about how the Giants simulate a public company, why character trumps talent in hiring decisions and which other company has served as a model for the Giants. Following are edited excerpts from the interview.”

From David Gelles: At Aetna, a C.E.O.’s Management by Mantra

“Mark Bertolini, the chief executive of Aetna, is betting that bringing yoga, meditation and higher wages to his employees will be good business.”

From Shawn McCarthy: Canada’s LNG marathon man: pioneering the dream from coast to coast

“Alfred Sorensen had his ‘aha moment’ in 2007 when he had a chance encounter with Randy Eresman, then chief executive officer of Encana Corp., at an investors symposium in London.”

From Brent Snavely: Rodney O’Neal transformed Delphi, regrets pension cuts

“Rodney O’Neal — CEO since 2007 — talked about Delphi’s unfortunate pension cuts, its resurgence over the past five years and other issues in a recent interview with the Free Press.”

From Amy Lynch: Restaurateur Larry Griggers is a believer in mid-career changes

“Larry Griggers was enjoying a successful career as a financial officer with several different companies, primarily in the oil and gas industries. Then he met ‘Miss Ruth.'”