Friday, May 07, 2004
Rumsfeld's Rules are relevant
In the 70's, Donald Rumsfeld compiled a list of advice and aphorisms for those working in the upper echelon of the White House. See, for example, this page. It's fascinating reading. Given what has happened in Iraq, and today's New York Times calling for his resignation (but not if his replacement is going to be Wolfowitz!), I find the following entries to be particularly ironic:
From the University of Skövde
In the 70's, Donald Rumsfeld compiled a list of advice and aphorisms for those working in the upper echelon of the White House. See, for example, this page. It's fascinating reading. Given what has happened in Iraq, and today's New York Times calling for his resignation (but not if his replacement is going to be Wolfowitz!), I find the following entries to be particularly ironic:
- Don't begin to think you're the president. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.
- It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.
- Don't divide the world into “them” and “us.”
- You and the White House staff must be and be seen to be above suspicion. Set the right example.
- Remember the public trust. Strive to preserve and enhance the integrity of the office of the presidency. Pledge to leave it stronger than when you came.
- Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles de Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.
- Have a deputy and develop a successor.
- Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the president and do wonders for your performance.
- See that the president, the cabinet and the staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor, not made, or not confidently or persuasively implemented.
- Don't allow people to be excluded from a meeting or denied an opportunity to express their views because their views differ from the president's views, the views of person who calls the meeting, or your views. The staff system must have integrity and discipline.
- When the president is faced with a decision, be sure he has the recommendations of all appropriate people, or that he realizes he does not have their views and is willing to accept the consequence. They will be out of sync, unhappy and less effective if they feel they are or are seen as having been “cut out.”
- If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right.
- If you tie, you do not win.
- “The oil can is mightier than the sword.” -- former Sen. Everett Dirksen (R., Ill.)
- The secretary of defense is not a super general or admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the department for the commander in chief and the country.
- Beware of the argument that “this is a period for investment; improvements will come in the out years.” The tension between the short term and long term can be constructive, but there is no long term without a short term.
- “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” -- Old military axiom
- “First law of holes: If you get in one, stop digging.” -- Anonymous
- “When drinking the water, don't forget those who dug the well.” -- Chinese proverb
- “If it doesn't go easy, force it.” -- G.D. Rumsfeld's assessment of his son Don's operating principle at age 10
- “If a problem cannot be solved, enlarge it.” -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- “If you think you have things under control, you're not going fast enough.” -- Mario Andretti, racecar driver
- “It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once.” -- David Hume
- If you develop rules, never have more than 10.
From the University of Skövde
