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 Marc Andreessen, Jane Yuen-Lin Mahowald, Brian Chesky, Dan Rooney, and Robert W. Taylor

From Ian Chipman: Marc Andreessen: “Take the Ego out of Ideas”

“The venture capitalist explores how to shape an innovative mindset.”

From Neal St. Anthony: Chinese immigrant sisters battle for success in construction industry

“Jane Yuen-Lin Mahowald is a grateful immigrant, small businesswoman and citizen. And Mahowald, 63, backed by her twin sister Winnie Yuen-Yee Crosbie, a successful Realtor and property manager, likes a challenge. In 2012, Mahowald, who had raised three college-graduate kids while she often worked part time, launched an industrial painting company.”

From Leigh Gallagher: Q & A With Brian Chesky: Disruption, Leadership, and Airbnb’s Future

“In mid-March, as part of a world tour to promote the company’s new menu of ‘experiences,’ Chesky stopped in on New York City for a sit down interview in front of the Economic Club of New York, the 110-year-old organization whose membership spans the top leaders from across the business world.”

From Peter King: Dan Rooney: An Appreciation of the Steelers Icon

“Universally respected in NFL circles, beloved by players and fans, Steelers boss Dan Rooney leaves a legacy of principled ownership and simple integrity. As six Lombardi Trophies attest, that’s a pretty good way to win.”

From Michael Hiltzik: Robert W. Taylor, visionary figure in the birth of personal computing and the Internet, dies at 85

“In 1968, Robert W. Taylor made a prediction that would guide the course of computer science for decades to come.”