Instead of studying leadership, why not spend some time studying leaders and strategies in the wild? You can learn a lot from leadership experts, but you always see the leader and what he or she does through the expert’s personal lens. Supplement that learning with studying real leaders in real life situations and draw your own conclusions. The posts in this series will help you.

Every week I’ll point you to articles by and about real leaders in real situations and to articles about how real companies are faring in the marketplace. Read them. Think about them. Draw your own lessons and conclusions from them. Then try to apply those lessons in your own real life.

This week I’m pointing you to articles about Bill Ruh, Mike Cunningham, Michael Bloomberg, Bonnie Spencer Swayze, and Aron Ain.

From Art Kleiner and John Sviokla: The Thought Leader Interview: GE’s Bill Ruh on the Industrial Internet Revolution

“According to Bill Ruh, the underpinnings of our industrial society will be profoundly changed by 2020. Every form of large-scale machinery will be suffused with sensors and software controls, all more and more interoperable. Increasing productivity, raising profits, eliminating waste, ensuring environmental quality, and improving manufacturing processes will all be automated activities, functions of a kind of ghost in the machine.”

From Liz Biro: Is the man behind Bru Burger the restaurant king of Mass Ave.?

“Mike Cunningham owns 5 iconic Mass Ave. restaurants, the most from one owner in the neighborhood. He isn’t finished yet.”

From Sam Roberts: Michael Bloomberg on How to Succeed in Business

“He was ousted from Salomon Brothers before age 40 and is now one of the world’s richest men. He shares advice on how to follow in his footsteps.”

From Bonnie Spencer Swayze: From the Factory Floor to the Boardroom: What I’ve Learned in Manufacturing

“As I worked my way up through sales and marketing to company president, I have seen and been a part of every facet of the manufacturing industry. It’s this insider knowledge that I believe gives me the tools to be a successful leader. These key elements to successful manufacturing sales and leadership are just a few of many pieces of advice I’ve gathered over time.”

From Cath Everett: Kronos CEO Aron Ain: “Management is not a spectator sport”

“He’s one of the highest rated CEO’s on Glassdoor and engagement scores have shot up at his company. What can managers learn from the leadership style of Aron Ain, boss of HR software provider Kronos?”