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. It isn’t making mistakes that’s critical; it’s correcting them and getting on with the principal task.
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.
Don’t necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.
Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.
With the press there is no ‘off the record’.
One of your tasks is to separate the “personal” from the “substantive.” The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong.
Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.
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.
Remember where you came from.
If you try to please everybody, somebody’s not going to like it.
Imagine, a September 11 with weapons of mass destruction. It’s not 3,000. It’s tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children.
Don’t automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn’t considered key aspects of the issue.
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.
When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President’s views.
Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.
In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone.
Preserve the President’s options. He may need them.
The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it can better be handled privately, by voluntary organizations, or by local or state governments.
I don’t do quagmires.
If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.
You’re thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don’t. I think that’s old Europe.
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