Our task, your task... is to try to connect the dots before something happens. People say, 'Well, where's the smoking gun?' Well, we don't want to see a smoking gun from a weapon of mass destruction.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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 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,...

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...

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...

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known...

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known...

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 in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

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

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

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...

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.

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...

If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.

If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.

With the press there is no off the record.

With the press there is no off the record.

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.

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

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...

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...

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...

An Argument needs no reason; Nor any friendship.

An Argument needs no reason; Nor any friendship.

I am undefeated in the arguments I have with people in my head.

I am undefeated in the arguments I have with people in my head.