The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don’t tell him the truth. Others won’t do it.
DONALD RUMSFELDEveryone’s saying you can’t do anything until you can do everything.
More Donald Rumsfeld Quotes
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Think ahead. Don’t let day-to-day operations drive out planning.
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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.
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Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.
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It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.
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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.
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Learn to say ‘I don’t know.’ If used when appropriate, it will be often.
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The way to do well is to do well.
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If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
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Those who made the decisions with imperfect knowledge will be judged in hindsight by those with considerably more information at their disposal and time for reflection.
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Let’s stick something in the ground and not pretend that it’s perfect.
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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.
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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.
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Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.
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If in doubt, don’t. If still in doubt, do what’s right.
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Everyone’s saying you can’t do anything until you can do everything.
DONALD RUMSFELD