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. ”

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

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

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

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. ”

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue. ”

Remember where you came from. ”

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

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views. ”

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth. Others won't do it. ”