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 Mary Barra, Matthew Corrin, Richard Palmer, Marla Malcolm Beck, and Kay Smith-Blum.

From Bill Vlasic: After a Tough First Year, G.M. Chief Mary Barra Vows to Move Beyond Recalls

“‘It was a year of great disappointment, but also great progress,’ Mary T. Barra said, after a year in which the company issued a record number of recalls in the United States.”

From Susan Krashinsky: Freshii’s founder aims to kill fast-food rivals with kale

“The impulses that drive New Year’s resolutions are Matthew Corrin’s bread and butter – figuratively speaking. There is no bread or butter in sight.”

From Brent Snavely: Meet the most important Chrysler exec you don’t know

“Meet Richard Palmer, CFO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, who has steered the automaker through a vast array of financial hurdles over the past five years while largely remaining behind the scenes.”

From Adam Bryant: Marla Malcolm Beck’s Three Keys to Hiring: Skill, Will and Fit

“I’m the queen of the seven-minute interview. I interview for only seven to 10 minutes, and I have a framework — it’s skill, will and fit.”

From Samantha Schmidt: How this CEO keeps her 40-year-old luxury clothing company fresh and growing

“[Kay] Smith-Blum, now CEO of Seattle luxury clothing retailer Butch Blum, has been in the driver’s seat of the company for about a decade, as her husband transitions into semi-retirement.”