About 400 years ago, Italian diplomat and politician, Niccolò Machiavelli, wrote: "Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times."

In other words, you must adapt your actions to a match an ever changing environment.

Makes sense, right?

But alas, that helpful bit of advice is likely impossible for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to put into practice, since his political conduct reflects his personality and that's not so easily altered a leopard, as they say, can't change its spots.

Certainly, Trudeau hasn't changed his spots when it comes to dealing with the blockade crisis the one where eco-activists are illegally blockading railroads across the country which is precisely why it's proving to be such a big political problem for the prime minister.

Simply put, the blockading lawbreakers, whose protests are threatening to paralyze the economy, are angering and frustrating Canadians; they just want the prime minister to do what it takes to put an end to it.

They want action.

But even though Trudeau keeps calling the blockades unacceptable, he's handling this matter in the usual passive "Trudeau way", calling for conciliation, patience and co-operation.

So the public wants Dirty Harry, but what they're getting is Mahatma Gandi.

And even when (likely on the advice of his pollsters) Trudeau finally did toughen up his language and declare, "barriers need to come down now", he didn't sound credible, and his threat rang a little hollow.

It was like being threatened by a Care bear.

Surely, this is not putting the prime minister in a good light and it's probably damaging him politically, yet could he have reacted to this crisis any differently than he did?

Keep in mind, Trudeau is a nice guy, a fun guy and a cutesy-wutesy, let's all sing Kumbaya by the camp fire guy, it's just who he is as person.

And his affable nature has always worked for him politically.

Indeed, when Trudeau first emerged on the political stage, that "nice guy" pitch resonated both with Canadians and with the media.

And it's not hard to see why.

Trudeau came on the scene at a time when Canadians, fed up with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's dour and gloomy leadership-style, were ready for change; they were ready for a leader who exuded positive energy.

In short, Trudeau's "fun guy" leadership traits matched the public mood.

But ever since he assumed power, the question that's always hung above Trudeau's head like the sword of Damocles, was what happens if the public mood in this country suddenly becomes bleaker?  How would Canadians view his amiable personality then?

Well, thanks to the bleakness generated by the railroad blockades, we're getting an answer: Trudeau looks weak.

In fact, his unwillingness to get tough with the protesters, generated a lot of heat; words like "feeble", and "ineffective" and "cowardly" were attached to his name and the hashtag  #Trudeaunotfitforoffice trended on Twitter.

My point is in troubling times voters typically want strength not empathy, toughness not sensitivity.

That's why, after four years of Jimmy Carter's feckless leadership in the face of increasing Soviet adventurism, Americans turned to Ronald Reagan; it's why British voters in the 1970s, who saw their economy in disarray, turned to the "Iron Lady", Margaret Thatcher.

And the bad news for Trudeau is that, even putting aside the blockades, tougher times might be on the way, given that a virus scare is dominating the news, given that some are forecasting a recession, given that we might see more illegal protests.

So is Trudeau up for these potential challenges?

Will he have the courage to take strong measures if things get scary?  Can he stand up to determined adversaries?  Can he, as Machiavelli urged, change his conduct with the times?

Who knows, maybe he can.

But I doubt it; my sense is it's just not in his DNA to be a "tough guy".  He's not like former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, a leader with a street fighter's instincts, who would joke about pepper spraying protesters or if need be throttle them with his own hands.  He's not even like his father who when asked how far would he go to stop the terrorist FLQ group, responded, "Just watch me."

Trudeau, it seems to me, wants to be everybody's friend.

This is why, for Trudeau to have continued success, he needs the times to stay the same, since if Canadians start getting antsy and start seeking tougher, more resolved leadership, he'll have nothing to offer.

He simply can't adapt.

In a way, Trudeau is a prisoner of his own personality.

Photo Credit: CBC News