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

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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...

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...

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...

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...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

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

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

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...

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

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.

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...

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.

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 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...

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

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

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

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

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...

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...

The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have [to] bare the...

The Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have [to] bare the...

Whenever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship.

Whenever you have an efficient government you have a dictatorship.