Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

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Donald Rumsfeld

Profession : Politician

Birth : July 9, 1932

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

Donald Rumsfeld

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

If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

Donald Rumsfeld

Simply because you do not have evidence that something exists does not mean that you have evidence that it doesn't exist.

Donald Rumsfeld

Remember where you came from.

Donald Rumsfeld

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.

Donald Rumsfeld

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post.

Donald Rumsfeld

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

Donald Rumsfeld

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

Donald Rumsfeld

There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's just a fact.

Donald Rumsfeld

Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often.

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

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task.

Donald Rumsfeld

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Donald Rumsfeld

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.

Donald Rumsfeld

Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.'

Donald Rumsfeld

One of your tasks is to separate the 'personal' from the 'substantive.' The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong.

Donald Rumsfeld

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.

Donald Rumsfeld

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

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