U.S. President Donald Trump’s new chief of staff, John Kelly, has his hands full managing the president’s erratic Twitter rants, abrupt firings, and a staff prone to “leaks.”

Mark Towhey knows a little about what Kelly’s going through, because he was once tasked with managing an equally unpredictable politician: former Toronto mayor Rob Ford.

Towhey worked with Ford for many years, and though he served as his chief of staff for less than a year, he believes he might be able to impart some wisdom to Kelly.

He recently wrote an open letter to Trump’s new chief of staff giving him his advice on how to “manage an unmanageable politician.”

Towhey told CTV’s Your Morning Friday that when he watches the chaos that has unfolded in the Trump administration, he sees a lot of familiar elements.

Working for an unpredictable leader such as Trump or Ford is beyond stressful, Towhey says, and administration staff are likely being pushed and pulled between the needs of the leader, the public and fellow staff.

“It’s like being in a washing machine,” Towhey said.

“They’re very busy on a good day with a normal president. There are a million things to do... In this case, with the circus that has kind of enveloped Donald Trump just about everywhere he goes, that impacts their mental health and their ability to focus on the job.”

What Gen. Kelly has to do, Towhey says, is build a team who works together and stays focused on moving forward on achievable objectives.

“Kelly’s training as a general in the marine corps will serve him very well,” said Towhey, who was also a member of the armed forces, serving as an officer with the Canadian Army for 13 years.

“(Kelly) needs to trust his instincts. He needs to build a team within the staff, and keep them marching forward on objectives.”

Towhey believes what Kelly needs to do is corral the president -- not stifle or change him.

“Don’t worry too much about trying to fit Donald Trump into the box of a traditional president,” Towhey advises. “He was elected by people because he was eccentric and weird. Don't try to change him.”

Kelly would also do well to play to Trump’s strengths, Towhey says. And one of those strengths is his loyal core of supporters. These are the people who chose to vote for Trump. not in spite of the outrageous things he said, but because of them.

Trump’s supporters are those voters who weren’t happy with the political establishment, and wanted someone who was an outsider and who had a different perspective, Towhey believes.

“I have a lot of faith in democracy. The voters knew that (Trump was an outsider) when they cast their ballot for him and they’re getting what they wanted.” he said.

“So, don’t assume they’re stupid and don’t assume it was a mistake, because I don’t think either of those is true. This is what they want.”