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

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.

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....

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...

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

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

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

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...

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If...

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If...

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...

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

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

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,...

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...

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade....

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade....

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...

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,...

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,...

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

Nothing destroys authority more than the unequal and untimely interchange of power stretched too far...

Nothing destroys authority more than the unequal and untimely interchange of power stretched too far...

The foundation of morality should not be made dependent on myth nor tied to any...

The foundation of morality should not be made dependent on myth nor tied to any...

Grades are a problem. On the most general level, they're an explicit acknowledgment that what...

Grades are a problem. On the most general level, they're an explicit acknowledgment that what...

Your decision to be, have and do something out of ordinary entails facing difficulties that...

Your decision to be, have and do something out of ordinary entails facing difficulties that...

Every person has free choice. Free to obey or disobey the Natural Laws. Your choice...

Every person has free choice. Free to obey or disobey the Natural Laws. Your choice...