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 Nicole Vanderbilt, Stephen Cheung, Kara Hayft, Emma Lawton, and Aron Ain.

From Laura Dunn: Women in Business Q&A: Nicole Vanderbilt, VP Of International, Etsy

“Nicole Vanderbilt joined Etsy in August 2012. Previously she held a variety of leadership roles in the consumer internet industry, including CEO of mydeco.com, VP of International for Bebo, Head of Industry Marketing at Google, and Director of Premium Communications at American Express. Nicole holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BSE from Princeton in Architecture and Engineering. Nicole’s role is VP of International at Etsy, based in the London office.”

Thanks to Smartbrief on Leadership for pointing me to this story

From David Pierson: Stephen Cheung went from cutting threads in a sweatshop to cutting global trade deals

“Stephen Cheung, 37, is president of World Trade Center Los Angeles, which is charged with promoting local businesses overseas and attracting foreign investment to the region. Before that, Cheung worked as director of international trade for the Port of L.A. and served as an aide to two mayors: Eric Garcetti and Antonio Villaraigosa.”

From the Star Tribune: Uponor North America vice president of human resources Kara Hayft

“Kara Hayft, the new vice president of human resources at Uponor North America, is working to keep a ‘small company feel’ as the Apple Valley-based maker of plumbing and indoor climate systems continues to grow.”

From Emma Lawton: ‘I won’t let Parkinson’s Disease beat me’

“Creative director Emma Lawton was just 29 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Here’s how she’s fighting back – and transforming her career.”

From Adam Bryant: Aron Ain of Kronos: The Incalculable Value of a Good Boss

“I believe that people would rather have a lousy job working for a great person than a great job working for a bad manager. And I believe very strongly that the single largest component of a business that adds to shareholder value is great management, and the single largest destroyer of shareholder value is bad management.”