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 Sarah Biser, Ray Stata, Max DePree, David Jaffe, and Jad Saliba.

From Melissa Wylie: McCarter & English’s Sarah Biser: The construction industry’s secret weapon

“Biser, who is based in New York City, has also been involved in a number of U.S. projects, drafting and negotiating contracts between building owners, construction managers and architects. She was involved with the CNN newsroom project in the Time Warner Center in New York City and the new Technion-Cornell applied science university on Roosevelt Island.”

From Abhijit Mahindroo and Nick Santhanam: Ray Stata on the evolution of the semiconductor industry

“The cofounder of Analog Devices looks back on his long career and assesses the state of semiconductors today.”

From Michael Graber: Max DePree: North America’s First CEO Design Thinker

“The former CEO of Herman Miller, Max DePree said, ‘I’ve got so many MBAs, but what I need is a poet. Poets are the original systems thinkers.’”

From Robin Lewis: Q&A with David Jaffe

“We were fortunate enough to spend a morning last fall with Ascena Retail Group CEO David Jaffe, whose mother Roslyn Jaffe started the company as dressbarn more than 50 years ago. Under David’s leadership the company and its eight nameplates have reached sales of $7 bilion and growing.”

From Colin Freeze: He traded in his badge to develop tech tools for police

“Reassessing his goals after a bout with cancer prompted former police officer Jad Saliba to trade in his badge to develop software that strip-mines evidence from all manner of seized phones and laptops.”