In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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

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

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.

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right.

If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right.

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...

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...

Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don't be consumed by the job or you'll...

Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don't be consumed by the job or you'll...

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...

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...

Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you...

Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost what...

Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost what...

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the...

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the...