Latest Morgan poll 2PP ALP +3 to 57, page-135

Moondoong, somewhat like Kevin Rudd; Malcolm Turnbull is at far greater risk from within his own party than he is from anywhere else. Hardly a day goes by than Tony Abbott reminds Cabinet [ie. Turnbull] that they have to do exactly as they're told.

Turnbull currently appears to be giving a two-finger salute at times; as with that cheeky train trip to Geelong instead of taking a helicopter and in talking yesterday about his support for a conscience vote on SSM.

Your example of a leader out front copping it only applies to certain styles of leadership; would-be heroes, controllers drivers and of course dictators in particular. It is possible to lead without performing solo and from in front of the pack all the time. Of course, those are skills narcissistic pugilists do not have.