Instead of studying leadership, why not spend some time studying leaders and strategies in the wild? You can learn a lot from leadership experts, but you always see the leader and what he or she does through the expert’s personal lens. Supplement that learning with studying real leaders in real life situations and draw your own conclusions. The posts in this series will help you.

Every week I’ll point you to articles by and about real leaders in real situations and to articles about how real companies are faring in the marketplace. Read them. Think about them. Draw your own lessons and conclusions from them. Then try to apply those lessons in your own real life.

This week I’m pointing you to articles about Crystal Morris, Clifton Pemble, Ken Frazier, Henrik Bunge, and Dave Skogen.

From Patrick Gorman: Q&A: Gator Cases CEO & Co-Founder Crystal Morris

“Crystal Morris co-founded Gator Cases with her father in 2000, initially offering a modest line of molded plastic guitar cases. Since then, the company has grown into one of the most well-known and trusted brands in case design and manufacturing, offering case and bag solutions not just for guitars, but also for pro audio, IT, audio visual, general utility, band instruments, and percussion.”

From: Tommy Felts: Garmin CEO talks startup origins, tech hiring worries, culture of innovation

“Making a rare public appearance Thursday, the software engineer-turned-executive joined the KC Tech Council for a Q&A-style interview with Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. Since those humble beginnings in 1989, Olathe-based Garmin has grown to more than 12,000 workers in 32 countries, Pemble said.”

Thanks to Smartbrief on Leadership for pointing me to this story

From David Gelles: Merck C.E.O. Ken Frazier on Death Row Cases and the Corporate Soul

“Business leaders today are reshaping the internet, reimagining health care, upending transportation and more. But being a chief executive is no longer just about running a company. It means taking political stands on everything from immigration to gun rights. It means weighing in on tariffs and taxes — all while balancing short-term profits with long-term goals, dealing with activist investors and attracting talented employees.”

From Carl Cederström and Torkild Thanem: The Swedish CEO Who Runs His Company Like a CrossFit Gym

“In contrast to ‘transformational’ and ‘authentic’ leadership, which has been criticized for being fuzzy and wishy-washy, ‘fitness leadership,’ as we refer to it, offers a more concrete approach. As a hard-working employee, you will be measured by and rewarded for the long hours you put in at the office and the gym. In exchange, a fitness leader can offer a sense certainty, justice, and camaraderie in a time where employees are otherwise plagued by uncertainty, injustice, and isolation. Henrik Bunge is one such leader. He’s the CEO and self-titled ‘Head Coach’ of Björn Borg, the Swedish sports fashion company named after the tennis star.”

From Judith Munson: Dave Skogen: Servant Leadership

“Skogen is the founder of Festival Foods in Onalaska and has been voted Best of La Crosse County 2018 ‘Best Public Servant.’ He’s a living testament to the concept of servant leadership.”