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 Linda Hudson, Jane Elfers, John Chambers, Tim Sloan, and Elisabetta Osta.

From Hilary Burns: Leadership wisdom from Bank of America board member Linda Hudson

“Hudson, who currently serves on Bank of America Corp.’s (NYSE: BAC) board and runs her own consulting firm The Cardea Group, spoke about leadership at Wake Forest University’s Charlotte campus Thursday night. She told stories about leaders she admires including Dwight Eisenhower, former U.S. Senator Olympia Snow, B.B. King and Fred Smith, founder of FedEx.”

From Robin Lewis and Michael Dart: Insights: Jane Elfers, CEO, The Children’s Place

“Despite her admirable track record, Jane shows no signs of complacency. Her focus is clearly on the future. We began with a topic that is among the most crucial, in Jane’s opinion: How to lead and manage in the digital age.”

From Jason Pontin: Q&A: John Chambers

“The executive chairman of Cisco has become a Silicon Valley statesman, whether he’s promoting the expansion of digital networks or calling for limits on government surveillance.”

From Kristin Broughton and Robert Barba: Picking the Brain of Wells Fargo’s (Likely) Next CEO

“In an industry filled with combative personalities, Tim Sloan, president and chief operating officer of Wells Fargo, is strikingly low-key and even keel.”

Thanks to Smartbrief on Leadership for pointing me to this story

From the Judge Business School: Brains and machines

“Elisabetta Osta, Managing Director for Information, Insights and Innovation at Barclays and a Visiting Fellow in Marketing at Cambridge Judge, talks about motivation, mentoring and consumer behaviour.”