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" Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning. "
Donald Rumsfeld
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" 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. "
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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. "
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" If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it. "
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" Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.' "
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" Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and the customers. "
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" Imagine, a September 11 with weapons of mass destruction. It's not 3,000. It's tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children. "
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" If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random. "
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" Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up. "
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" Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up. "
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" Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort is spent, rather than whether the money or effort actually achieves the announced goal. "
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" In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it. "
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" When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views. "
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" When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later. "
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" Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective. "
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" Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small. "
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" Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position. "
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" Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning. "
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" Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance. "
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" It is easier to get into something than to get out of it. "
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" Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems. "
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" Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When errors occur, give sharper guidance. If errors persist or if the fit feels wrong, help them move on. The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" 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
" 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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" Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution. "
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" Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership. "
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. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" 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. "
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" If it were a fact, it wouldn't be called intelligence. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post. "
Donald Rumsfeld