It is easier to get into something than to get out of it. Donald Rumsfeld
Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and the customers. Donald Rumsfeld
Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was – by a taxpayer. Donald Rumsfeld
Watch the growth of middle level management. Don’t automatically fill vacant jobs. Leave some positions unfilled for 6-8 months to see what happens. You will find you won’t need to fill some of them. Donald Rumsfeld
Success tends to go not to the person who is error-free, because he also tends to be risk-averse. Rather it goes to the person who recognizes that life is pretty much a percentage business. Donald Rumsfeld
Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals. 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
Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don’t be consumed by the job or you’ll risk losing your balance. Keep your mooring lines to the outside world – family, friends, neighbors, people out of government, and people who may not agree with you. Donald Rumsfeld
In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it. Donald Rumsfeld
Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up. Donald Rumsfeld
If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much. Donald Rumsfeld
Beware when any idea is promoted primarily because it is ‘bold, exciting, innovative, and new.’ There are many ideas that are ‘bold, exciting, innovative and new,’ but also foolish. Donald Rumsfeld
There are many people in that part of the world who’d love to shove Israel into the sea, and not have it be there, and until people are willing to accept the presence of Israel, Israel obviously is not going to be able to make a deal. Donald Rumsfeld
You’re thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don’t. I think that’s old Europe. Donald Rumsfeld
I believe what I said yesterday. I don’t know what I said, but I know what I think, and, well, I assume it’s what I said. Donald Rumsfeld
I don’t know what the facts are but somebody’s certainly going to sit down with him and find out what he knows that they may not know, and make sure he knows what they know that he may not know. Donald Rumsfeld
Now, settle down, settle down. Hell, I’m an old man, it’s early in the morning and I’m gathering my thoughts here. Donald Rumsfeld
With the press there is no ‘off the record’. 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