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 Randall Stephenson, Indra Nooyi, Jim Beckman, Bill McDermott, and Austin McChord.

From Jennifer Pellet: Celebrating the 2016 CEO of the Year: AT&T’s Randall Stephenson

“In July, more than 200 business leaders gathered at the ICE NYSE to honor Randall Stephenson, who was recognized by a selection committee of his CEO peers for demonstrating exemplary vision, business acumen and success in delivering sustained performance.”

From Daniel Roth: Indra Nooyi just issued a major challenge to the world’s CEOs

“When you talk to CEOs about what’s coming next for their companies, you typically get the 18-month plan or the someday-maybe plan. The first is a set of achievable goals, based on everything going right; the second involves going to Mars — a 10- to 20-year- vision that is more rallying cry than roadmap. PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, on the other hand, has managed to combine both metrics and mission. Earlier this week, she unveiled her 10-year goals for the $65 billion-in-expected-revenue snack-and-beverage giant. Called ‘Performance with Purpose,’ the plan involves a set of targets that can only be achieved if people change their diets, farmers change their practices, and managers keep changing how they think about their role.”

From Stan Linhorst: Jim Beckman on leadership: It takes head and heart; your values build the culture

“Jim Beckman, credited with guiding Crucible Industries back to financial health from Great Recession bankruptcy, stepped down last month as company president and will fully retire at the end of the year.”

Thanks to Smartbrief on Leadership for pointing me to this story

From Bill McDermott: SAP CEO Talks about the Characteristics of a Leader

“No leader gets to the top without a fight, without facing disappointment and adversity, without making mistakes. Sometimes leaders get beat. But leaders of consequence find a way to rise after a fall, and those stories are the ones that teach, the ones that build and restore trust.”

From Adam Bryant: Austin McChord of Datto: It’s Not Awesome Till It’s Awesome

“Austin McChord, C.E.O. of the data protection company Datto, says he resists the trend of automatically handing out praise and instead saves it for exceptional achievements.”