CHIEF OF ANYTHING: (Why) Wherefore relaxed-productive leadership makes

In this review of CHIEF OF ANYTHING the bottom line is simple: this is a compact, practical leadership manual for busy executives and founders who want a clear, usable framework without fluff. Born from the curriculum of the Chief of the Year leadership course and grounded in the lived experience of Michael Portz and Christian Kohlhof, the book condenses decades of practice into digestible guidance. Readers looking for a concise executive summary of leadership theory and real-world examples will find the single biggest reason to buy is its actionable, course-ready approach to relaxed-productive leadership.

Key Features

• Executive summary: The book distills the core curriculum of a professional leadership course into readable chapters so leaders can learn the essentials quickly.
• Real-world examples: Lives and decisions of two entrepreneurs are summarised to show how leadership concepts apply in business and personal life.
• Course content in print: Much of the Chief of the Year CoA Academy material is presented here, making formal training more accessible to those who cannot attend events.
• Practical focus: Written for the new normal and times of disruption, it prioritises ease of implementation over academic theory.
• Team-tested approaches: The techniques are the same content thousands of leaders use daily to sharpen decision making and people management.

Who It's For

CHIEF OF ANYTHING will suit founders, senior managers, and programme leaders who need a concise handbook that translates course material into everyday leadership practice. It is particularly useful for those responsible for remote or distributed teams who need adaptable, resilient approaches that work during disruption.

Those seeking a deep academic treatise or step-by-step workshop exercises with worksheets may need supplemental materials or the original course, as the book is presented as an executive summary rather than a full classroom workbook.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concentrates high-impact leadership ideas into a compact format that is easy to revisit and reference.
• Draws on the real experiences of Michael Portz and Christian Kohlhof to make lessons tangible and credible.
• Delivers the core curriculum of an established leadership programme, offering many of the same insights at a lower cost than attending events.

Cons

• As an executive summary, it does not replace hands-on workshops or provide extensive worksheets for group facilitation.

Specifications

Title	CHIEF OF ANYTHING: (Why) Wherefore relaxed-productive leadership makes a better world
Authors / Brand	Michael Portz, Christian Kohlhof, Leonie Schulze Bolling, Andy Haines, Mark Weinberg, Catherine Anabel White
Content focus	Executive summary of leadership curriculum and entrepreneurial lives
Related programme	Chief of the Year at Global Remote Leadership Experts CoA Academy
Primary audience	Leaders, executives, founders, managers
Use case	Practical leadership guidance for business and personal life during disruption

Our Verdict

CHIEF OF ANYTHING is a strong choice for leaders who want concentrated, practical leadership guidance derived from a proven course and real entrepreneurial stories. It offers high value to busy professionals who prefer clear frameworks they can apply immediately, though readers seeking exhaustive workshop materials should supplement it with course resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a full course replacement?
The book captures the core curriculum and insights but is framed as an executive summary; it is useful on its own but does not fully replace hands-on course experiences.

Who contributed to the book?
The title credits multiple contributors including Michael Portz and Christian Kohlhof plus Leonie Schulze Bolling, Andy Haines, Mark Weinberg, and Catherine Anabel White.

Will this help remote leaders?
Yes. The content was written for the new normal and disruption and emphasises approaches that apply to remote and distributed teams.