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 Admiral Michelle Howard, Tony Gareri, Dr. Kevin Tracey, Shawn Qu, and Tim Cook.

From Kathryn Dill: Leadership Lessons From Admiral Michelle Howard, The Highest Ranking Woman In Naval History

“This morning, in a ceremony at the Women In Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, Howard became the first woman in the U.S. Navy’s 236-year history to be promoted to four-star admiral and Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the second highest position in the Navy.”

From Sean Stanleigh: Family business CEO ‘restarts’ the company to improve culture

“Tony Gareri is the 36-year-old CEO of his Vaughan, Ont.-based family business, Roma Moulding, which designs and crafts handmade Italian frames.”

From Adam Bryant: Kevin Tracey, on Putting It Together (After Taking It Apart)

“This interview with Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, president and C.E.O. of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, was conducted and condensed by Adam Bryant.”

From Richard Blackwell: Canadian Solar’s ‘boring engineer’ [Shawn Qu] has his day in the sun

“Behind this low-key facade, however, is an extraordinary story of a poor Chinese immigrant who came to Canada to advance his education, then created from scratch what has become one of the world’s largest and most successful solar energy firms, with annual revenue closing in on $3-billion.”

From Daisuke Wakabayashi: A Broader Apple Emerges Under Cook

“CEO Pushes Executives to Be More Collaborative, Broaden Its Legendary Laser Focus”

“Shapeshifting at Apple” is my take on some of the recent changes there.