Once the deed was done, Abbott virtually disappeared. He didn't front the cameras to publicly own his ballot defeat. He didn't even personally visit the Governor-General, reportedly faxing his resignation letter. Tony Abbott gave The Margaret Thatcher lecture in London. Credit:Julian Andrews He went on radio to say that he's "too young to retire" and that he's considering his options but won't be making decisions "this side of Christmas". He also spent a lot of time talking up his achievements and trying to cement his leadership legacy. It's never nice to be spurned by your colleagues but the reality is that people lose their jobs every day. It's happened to me over time. The difference here is that most of us don't have the opportunity to rewrite our legacies – we're flat out paying the bills while searching for a new job.

I understand Abbott is relatively young, but as the member for Warringah, he's not unemployed. He may have lost the top job, but he still has a job. That's not the case for the 500 people from BlueScope Steel in Port Kembla who'll shortly be joining the unemployment queues or the 200 Santos staff in South Australia whose jobs are being shed. And now we see Abbott on the international speakers circuit with a first-up appearance in London to tell European leaders that his boat turn back policy is the best way to manage their refugee crisis. Not sure the German Chancellor, who's working to accommodate up to one million refugees in her country, will appreciate the contribution. Nonetheless, Abbott's agency, the Washington Speakers Bureau, says he has "unparalleled insight on leadership" and is an expert on negotiation. While there are those who'll have differing views about Abbott's leadership and negotiation credentials, there's nothing amiss with earning a living on the global speakers circuit – except that it's a world away from representing the interests of the voters of Warringah.

There's nothing amiss with earning a living on the global speakers circuit – except that it's a world away from representing the interests of the voters of Warringah. He's being paid by you and me to represent the 102,000 people of Manly, Dee Why, Balgowlah and elsewhere in his electorate. He has a backbencher salary, is looking at an annual pension of more than $300,000 and potentially other entitlements such as an additional annual salary of $300,000 to cover the costs of travel and a staffed office. Is it appropriate to take time out from that? Is it right to occupy a job you've no longer got the interest, focus or passion for? When you choose a public life, you accept the possibility of a public defeat. It's a part of the game – and you move on. The real world is an unemployment rate of 6.2 per cent, and more than double that in some outer urban and regional areas, with all the economic and social challenges that brings to households.

The real world of employment is hypercompetitive. It doesn't provide the luxury of time-out for contemplation. Anyone can manage success, but it's how you manage the disappointments and difficulties that truly reflects your leadership credentials. If Abbott was to look into his core of decency, which many refer to, he'd see that he's had a good innings. If his interests lie elsewhere, then don't just occupy the crease – make way for someone else who has the fire in the belly to serve and make their mark in public office. The choice is there. Let's hope the Christmas break allows Abbott to balance the public interest with his own and he makes a leadership decision that he can be proud of when the dust settles. Whichever way he goes, we're watching a living, breathing example of the case against career politicians. It appears Washington is a popular destination these days and may even provide the opportunity for sleep-overs. Alex Malley is chief executive of CPA Australia