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 Fran Katsoudas, Ryan Broderick, Allen Questrom, Sophia Rossi, and Marvin Odum.

From Melissa Wylie: Cisco’s chief people officer is ‘breaking HR’

“Katsoudas stepped into her role as the chief people officer for the $49 billion technology company — one with 372 locations in 92 countries — nearly two years ago. Her goal was to revamp the company’s HR policies, to challenge the way things had always been done. She calls it ‘breaking HR.‘”

From Anna Johnston: 11.5 soundbites from BuzzFeed’s Ryan Broderick

“Known for its listicles, funny memes and catchy films that go viral, BuzzFeed is a traditional media agitator. Speaking at a London Business School event, Ryan Broderick, Global Deputy News Director at BuzzFeed, discusses everything from strange defining moments to Vine videos and, most importantly, the future of media”

From Robin Lewis: Spotlight with Allen Questrom

“Iconic retail leader, Allen Questrom, Chairman, CEO and savior of several giant retailers, will be sitting down with me for a candid conversation about retailing’s current transformation and its future. We will also discuss lessons learned from his JC Penney turnaround, its collapse under Ron Johnson and some perspective on its future under CEO Marvin Ellison, and how they may help today’s retail leaders. We’ll also get some behind the scenes detail on his successful turnarounds of Federated Department Stores (now Macy’s), Neiman Marcus and Barney’s.”

From Paresh Dave: She’s made HelloGiggles a serious success

“Former TV producer Sophia Rossi, 34, is chief executive of downtown Los Angeles-based HelloGiggles, an ad-supported destination online for news and entertainment aimed at girls and young women. Time Inc. bought the start-up for around $30 million in October, allowing for more than 30 new hires to sell ads and to create shows, movies and podcasts. HelloGiggles draws about 11 million monthly visitors.”

From Steven Mufson: An oilman’s $7 billion refresher course in the economics of drilling and climate change

“Marvin Odum, president of Shell Oil, was attending a meeting of the parent company’s executive committee in Singapore when word trickled in that an exploration well drilled in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea — the crowning step in a multi-year $7 billion quest — was a dry hole.”