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 Meg Whitman, Punit Goenka, Oscar Zhao, Melissa Kieling, and Sue Desmond-Hellmann.

From Bill Snyder: Meg Whitman: Don’t Fixate on What Is Wrong with a Company

“HP CEO discusses turning around a struggling technology company.”

From Wharton: Zee’s Punit Goenka: Youth Is the Fastest-Growing Audience

“A time of transition is always difficult. But Punit Goenka has managed successfully because he looks upon his father — who founded Indian media and entertainment company, Zee Entertainment, of which Goenka is now CEO — as his guru. He will be successful, he says, the day his father thinks he is successful. Goenka spoke at the recent Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) in Philadelphia. In this interview with Knowledge@Wharton, he discusses his global plans, leadership style and the digital imperative in media and entertainment.”

From Nathan VanderKlippe: CEO of China’s BlueFocus not your average Mad Man

“Oscar Zhao can’t quite find an English word to express what he likes to do outside work, so he settles on Chinese. ‘I’m a PR guy,’ he says, ‘but I’m a zhainan.’ The term is often translated as nerd, geek or otaku – a person with bad social skills and little craving for human contact. Mr. Zhao offers his own translation: ‘It means you stay at home.'”

From Samantha Masunaga: Melissa Kieling, CEO of insulated bag maker PackIt

“Melissa Kieling, 38, is the co-founder and chief executive of PackIt, which makes foldable, freezable bags to keep food and beverages cold. Last year, PackIt was named one of the fastest-growing privately held companies by Inc. magazine. The company is headquartered in Westlake Village and has 24 employees.”

From Adam Bryant: Sue Desmond-Hellmann: Helping People Find Their Sweet Spot

“The chief executive of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said that learning to teach was the most important management lesson she has learned.”