Learn to say I don't know. If used when appropriate, it will be often.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or...

Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or...

Know that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner,...

Know that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner,...

Don't say he White House wants. Buildings can't want.

Don't say he White House wants. Buildings can't want.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be...

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be...

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's...

There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all...

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all...

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of...

Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of...

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision...

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

A good metaphor can make any bad idea sound good.

A good metaphor can make any bad idea sound good.

To make a long story short, there's nothing like having a boss walk in.

To make a long story short, there's nothing like having a boss walk in.

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take...

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take...

We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs,...

We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs,...