Don’t speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn’t walk in their shoes.
DONALD RUMSFELDEnjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.
More Donald Rumsfeld Quotes
-
-
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 -
If we know anything, it is that weakness is provocative.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers – they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When errors occur, give sharper guidance. If errors persist or if the fit feels wrong, help them move on. The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Let’s stick something in the ground and not pretend that it’s perfect.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Politics is human beings; it’s addition rather than subtraction.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
If you develop rules, never have more than ten.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Think ahead. Don’t let day-to-day operations drive out planning.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Simply because you do not have evidence that something exists does not mean that you have evidence that it doesn’t exist.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
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 -
If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Remember where you came from.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Prune – prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Learn to say ‘I don’t know.’ If used when appropriate, it will be often.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Let your family, staff, and friends know that you’re still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Everyone’s saying you can’t do anything until you can do everything.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Whatever your position, reach out to those who know more than you do, and have been around longer than you have. Find those people. Listen carefully. And learn.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.
DONALD RUMSFELD -
Presidential leadership needn’t always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective.
DONALD RUMSFELD