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

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Leadership Quotes

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...

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.

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...

The way to do well is to do well.

The way to do well is to do well.

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

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

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

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

If a person with a rural accent says 'I don't know much about politics,' zip...

If a person with a rural accent says 'I don't know much about politics,' zip...

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting...

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting...

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries...

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries...

Remember how often you have postponed minding your interest, and let slip those opportunities the...

Remember how often you have postponed minding your interest, and let slip those opportunities the...

We reproach people for talking about themselves but it is the subject they treat best

We reproach people for talking about themselves but it is the subject they treat best

A wise unselfishness is not a surrender of yourself to the wishes of anyone, but...

A wise unselfishness is not a surrender of yourself to the wishes of anyone, but...