Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of others. Be sure the staff is working on what you move to them from the President, or the President will be reacting, not leading.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Politics Quotes, Time Quotes

The way to do well is to do well.

The way to do well is to do well.

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.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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....

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him...

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him...

Remember where you came from.

Remember where you came from.

If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it.

If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it.

Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to...

Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to...

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...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

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...

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...

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.

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

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...

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases,...

Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases,...

Bureaucrats are the only people in the world who can say absolutely nothing and mean...

Bureaucrats are the only people in the world who can say absolutely nothing and mean...

A mayor is a symbol and a public face of what a city bureaucracy provides...

A mayor is a symbol and a public face of what a city bureaucracy provides...

A republican stands up in congress and says 'I GOT A REALLY BAD IDEA!!' and...

A republican stands up in congress and says 'I GOT A REALLY BAD IDEA!!' and...

It's funny how people say they miss you, but don't even make an effort to...

It's funny how people say they miss you, but don't even make an effort to...

May you have love that never ends, lots of money and lots of friends. Health...

May you have love that never ends, lots of money and lots of friends. Health...

Freedom of expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in...

Freedom of expression - in particular, freedom of the press - guarantees popular participation in...