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" Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often. "
Donald Rumsfeld
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" Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last. All the pressures are to the contrary. "
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" The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country. "
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" You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe. "
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" If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes. "
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" I don't do quagmires. "
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" It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task. "
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" In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone. "
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" In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it. "
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" If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it. "
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" Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems. "
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" Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life. "
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" One of your tasks is to separate the 'personal' from the 'substantive.' The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong. "
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" 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 bottleneck. "
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" If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random. "
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" Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos. "
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" When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" It is easier to get into something than to get out of it. "
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" Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and out. Find problem areas, add structure and delegate. The pressure is to do the reverse. Resist it. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying to manage the First Family. They are likely to do fine without your help. "
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" Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead photography. A trained ape can know an awful lot of what is going on in this world, just by punching on his mouse, for a relatively modest cost. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you see around some corners. Try to make original mistakes, rather than needlessly repeating theirs. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" If it were a fact, it wouldn't be called intelligence. "
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" Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and the customers. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.' "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Don't divide the world into 'them' and 'us.' Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the press, the Congress, rivals, or opponents. Accept them as facts. They have their jobs and you have yours. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views. "
Donald Rumsfeld