 When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control. |
| Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance. |
| 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. |
| Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually. |
| You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe. |
| One of your tasks is to separate the "personal" from the "substantive." The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong. |
| 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. |
| Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution. |
| Don't say "the White House wants." Buildings can't want. |
| See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor, not made, or not confidently or persuasively implemented. |
| In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone. |
| 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. |
| Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position. |
| Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented. |
| Don't divide the world into "them" and "us." Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the press, the Congress, rivals, or opponents. Accept them as facts. They have their jobs and you have yours. |
| Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership. |
| Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a taxpayer. |
