If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it probably hasn't been thought through well enough. If not well understood by the American people, it probably won't sail anyway. Send it back for further…

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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...

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...

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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...

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

When someone with a rural accent says, I don't know much about politics, zip up...

When someone with a rural accent says, I don't know much about politics, zip up...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

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...

Walk around. If you are invisible, the mystique of the President's office may perpetuate inaccurate...

Walk around. If you are invisible, the mystique of the President's office may perpetuate inaccurate...

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.

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders...

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders...

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really...

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really...

Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a...

Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a...

Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and...

Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be...

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be...

One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can...

One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can...

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...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...