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 Mark Sunday, Mary Barra, Lino Saputo Jr., Kristin Muhlner, and Stephanie Kelly.

From Ryan Westwood: Five Business Lessons From Oracle’s Mark Sunday

“So while casually eating a lunch of hamburgers and salad, the CIO of a multi-billion dollar corporation described his career and the fundamental business philosophy that has sustained him as he worked with one computer technology titan to the next. Here are five key things that I learned.”

From Hilary Burns: Mary Barra says she’s become “tougher, not meaner” after first year as CEO of GM

“In an on-stage conversation this week the Automotive News World Congress with Keith Crain, editor-in-chief of Crain’s Detroit Business and Automotive News this week, GM CEO Mary Barra reflected on her year of mayhem.”

From Bertrand Marotte: Captain of top dairy producer Saputo stands tall between the posts

“Lino Saputo Jr. is in his element patrolling the crease. The 48-year-old delights in his position as goaltender, stopping pucks on a garage-league team at his family’s luxury sports complex that rents the ice for $300 an hour in prime time. Not too far from the arena is the head office of Saputo Inc., the family controlled milk-and-cheese titan where the chief executive officer switches from defence to offence, orchestrating a strategy of growth by acquisition that has vaulted the company into the global big leagues.”

From Adam Bryant: Kristin Muhlner of NewBrand Analytics: The Upside of Being Replaceable

“The chief executive of a social-media-monitoring company discusses how she learned not to need to be involved in everything.”

From Amy Lynch: UIndy’s Stephanie Kelly shares joy of learning

“Professionally speaking, Stephanie Piper Kelly definitely enjoys a wide range of motion.”