Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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Donald Rumsfeld

Profession : Politician

Birth : July 9, 1932

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

Donald Rumsfeld

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective.

Donald Rumsfeld

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership.

Donald Rumsfeld

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

Donald Rumsfeld

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

Donald Rumsfeld

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

Donald Rumsfeld

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.

Donald Rumsfeld

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution.

Donald Rumsfeld

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.

Donald Rumsfeld

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position.

Donald Rumsfeld

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance.

Donald Rumsfeld

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

Donald Rumsfeld

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

Donald Rumsfeld

With the press there is no 'off the record.'

Donald Rumsfeld

Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to achieve them. You may find that no path can get you there. Plan forward to see where your steps will take you, which may not be clear or intuitive.

Donald Rumsfeld

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

Donald Rumsfeld

In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.

Donald Rumsfeld

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.

Donald Rumsfeld

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know.

Donald Rumsfeld

Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

Donald Rumsfeld