You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a…

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

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...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

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....

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...

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...

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...

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

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.

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,...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

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...

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...

The way to do well is to do well.

The way to do well is to do well.

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

When someone with a rural accent says, I don't know much about politics, zip up...

When someone with a rural accent says, I don't know much about politics, zip up...

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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...

Don't divide the world into hem and us. Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the...

Don't divide the world into hem and us. Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the...