Robin Sears has served clients on three continents as a management, executive search and public affairs consultant. As a strategic advisor to governments, corporations and the NGO sector in Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States he has led teams on large public advocacy, M&A, technology, and market development projects. He joins Earnscliffe in Ottawa.
Departing Liberal leader Bob Rae took on thankless job with gusto.
by Robin Sears
The only job worse than interim leader in politics is being Caucus whip in a caucus that has just been electorally whipped. In the first case, no one is much interested in what you ask them to do. In the second, no one cares what you tell them they must do.
The interim leader is seen as irrelevant by other leaders, drumming their fingers impatiently waiting for the "real" leader to arrive, sneering at the placeholder. Your caucus colleagues treat you with the deference high school students accord the substitute teacher, knowing there are no rewards to be had from you, nor any meaningful discipline you can deliver, to boot.
You go through the motions wondering why you agreed to the thankless task, and counting the days until it’s done. Unless you’re Bob Rae.