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

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Authority Quotes, Decision Quotes, Responsibility 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.

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...

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...

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him...

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him...

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

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...

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...

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.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

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.

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

Know that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner,...

Know that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner,...

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Don't say he White House wants. Buildings can't want.

Don't say he White House wants. Buildings can't want.

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...

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...

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...

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

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...

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...