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 Walt Bettinger, Wendell P. Weeks, Jonathan Haidt, Mark Rose, and Nina Vaca.

From Adam Bryant: Walt Bettinger of Charles Schwab: You’ve Got to Open Up to Move Up

“The chief at Charles Schwab says leadership requires transparency, authenticity and vulnerability — things that do not come naturally when you are trying to build, achieve and accomplish.”

From Wendell P. Weeks: Creating value from long-term bets

“The argument for corporate longevity is quite simple: achieving something strategic, significant, and sustainable almost always takes time. Longevity is particularly important for innovation because time and sustained investment are needed to solve really tough problems. To understand why, consider an example from the history of my company, Corning.”

From Ann Graham: The Thought Leader Interview: Jonathan Haidt

“The NYU social psychologist says that the ethical risks for a business depend on its ingrained cultural attitudes.”

From Tamsin McMahon: Real estate CEO overhauled his lifestyle – then his company

“Mark Rose, chairman and chief executive officer of Avison Young, steered his firm through a period of rapid expansion. He’s also shaken up the company’s culture.”

From Melissa Wylie: The Bizwomen Interview: Nina Vaca, CEO and chairman of Pinnacle Group

“Vaca founded Dallas-based Pinnacle Group 20 years ago as a staffing company with $300 of her own funds. Through acquisitions and expansions, she has built Pinnacle into a comprehensive workforce solutions provider and one of the nation’s fastest-growing women-led businesses.”