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 Tom Stemberg, Jillian Tohber Leslie, Bonnie Ross, Kim Getty, and Carey Lohrenz.

From Drew FitzGerald: Thomas Stemberg, Staples’ Co-Founder, Dies at 66

“Thomas Stemberg’s first big break came when he lost his job in the grocery store business, a setback that led him to develop one of the country’s first specialized superstores years before they dotted the retail landscape.”

From Deborah Petersen: An Entrepreneur Finds that Scarcity is a Great Teacher

“When Jillian Tohber Leslie left screenwriting to start Catch My Party in 2009, she used her own money to fund the online site that provides inspiration for party themes and encourages others to share their celebration experiences and tips. Bootstrapping her startup taught her to be scrappy and creative, while forcing her to develop a strategy to make the best use of limited resources, she says.”

From Joshua Brustein: Can the Woman Behind Halo 5 Save the Xbox?

“The women’s volleyball locker room at the University of Southern California’s 10,000-seat Galen Center isn’t the most glamorous green room, but Bonnie Ross couldn’t care less. It’s June 15, and in 30 minutes, Ross, who’s in charge of Microsoft’s most valuable gaming franchise, will take center stage at the industry’s most important conference, E3. It’s the pitch of her career—a preview of Halo 5: Guardians, set to go on sale on Oct. 27.”

From Kim Getty: Leaders, Here’s Why You Should Try to be More Like Tina Fey

“She’s relatable — something your team will respect you for, especially if you show that they’re not the only ones who make mistakes.”

From Kimberly Weisul: What a Fighter Pilot Can Teach You About Teamwork and Focus

“Feel the fear, do it anyways. That was one of the main takeaways from Carey Lohrenz’s inspiring talk at the Inc. 5000 Conference in Orlando on Friday. Lohrenz, one of the first women assigned to fly the F-14 Tomcat fighter plane, related her piloting background to the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of teamwork, focus, and discipline. Here’s how her military experience–flying a $45 million aircraft that goes from 0 to 200 mph in two seconds, and then landing it on the bobbing deck of an aircraft carrier–translates to the world of business.”