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.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Ideas Quotes

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to...

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to...

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

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...

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When...

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When...

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...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.

In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.

Move decisions out to the Cabinet and agencies. Strengthen them by moving responsibility, authority, and...

Move decisions out to the Cabinet and agencies. Strengthen them by moving responsibility, authority, and...

Remember where you came from.

Remember where you came from.

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

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

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

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page...

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page...

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal...

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal...

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered...

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered...

I have come to the conclusion that the major part of the work of a...

I have come to the conclusion that the major part of the work of a...

I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight...

I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight...