Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to ‘carry it off.’ – Donald Rumsfeld
Don’t be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and out. Find problem areas, add structure and delegate. The pressure is to do the reverse. Resist it. – Donald Rumsfeld
Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership. – Donald Rumsfeld
Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals. – Donald Rumsfeld
Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you see around some corners. Try to make original mistakes, rather than needlessly repeating theirs. – Donald Rumsfeld
If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes. – Donald Rumsfeld
In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it. – Donald Rumsfeld
Don’t do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post. – Donald Rumsfeld
Don’t speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn’t walk in their shoes. – Donald Rumsfeld
Our task, your task… is to try to connect the dots before something happens. People say, ‘Well, where’s the smoking gun?’ Well, we don’t want to see a smoking gun from a weapon of mass destruction. – Donald Rumsfeld
Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead photography. A trained ape can know an awful lot of what is going on in this world, just by punching on his mouse, for a relatively modest cost. – Donald Rumsfeld
You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a bottleneck. – Donald Rumsfeld
When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later. – Donald Rumsfeld
Look for what’s missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what’s proposed or what’s gone amiss. Few are able to see what isn’t there. – Donald Rumsfeld
Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive. – Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin’s still learning. – Donald Rumsfeld
Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance. – Donald Rumsfeld
It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal task. – Donald Rumsfeld
