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Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Donald Rumsfeld

There are known knowns, things we know that we know; and there are known unknowns, things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns, things we do not know we don’t know.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Imagination Knowledge
Every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Enjoyment Error Opportunity Serious
If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Decision Doubt President
If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Decision Guidance Lack Random
It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Bsuiness Motivational Politics Risk
Don’t speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn’t walk in their shoes.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Ill Shoes Speak Success Walk
If you try to please everybody, somebody’s not going to like it.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Please Try
With the press there is no ‘off the record.’
DONALD RUMSFELD

Media Record
Don’t blame the boss. He has enough problems.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Blame Boss Enough Problem
First rule of politics: you can’t win unless you’re on the ballot. Second rule: If you run, you may lose. And, if you tie, you do not win.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Ballot Lose Politics Rule Win
It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal task.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Criticism Mistake Principle Task
If we know anything, it is that weakness is provocative.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Knowledge Weakness
Agreement can always be reached by increasing the generality of the conclusion; when this is done, the form is generally preserved but only the illusion of policy is created.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Agreement Conclusion Creation Illusion Increase Policy
If you develop rules, never have more than ten.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Advice Rule
Learn to say ‘I don’t know.’ If used when appropriate, it will be often.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Appropriate Learn Often
What you measure improves.” A corollary rule in the military is that “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.
DONALD RUMSFELD

Expectation Improvement Inspect Measure Military Rule

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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