Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.
DONALD RUMSFELDDon’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.
DONALD RUMSFELDIf you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
DONALD RUMSFELDSimply because you do not have evidence that something exists does not mean that you have evidence that it doesn’t exist.
DONALD RUMSFELDYou go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.
DONALD RUMSFELDPolitics is human beings; it’s addition rather than subtraction.
DONALD RUMSFELDFirst 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 RUMSFELDIf in doubt, move decisions up to the President.
DONALD RUMSFELDReduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers – they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.
DONALD RUMSFELDIf in doubt, don’t. If still in doubt, do what’s right.
DONALD RUMSFELDIf the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.
DONALD RUMSFELDTest ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.
DONALD RUMSFELDLet’s stick something in the ground and not pretend that it’s perfect.
DONALD RUMSFELDRemember where you came from.
DONALD RUMSFELDEnjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.
DONALD RUMSFELDMany people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.
DONALD RUMSFELDIf it were a fact, it wouldn’t be called intelligence.
DONALD RUMSFELD