Donald Rumsfeld > Quotes

“Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns- the ones we don't know we don't know.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“There are known knowns, things we know that we know; and there are known unknowns, things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns, things we do not know we don't know.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown

“Those who made the decisions with imperfect knowledge will be judged in hindsight by those with considerably more information at their disposal and time for reflection.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown

“If we know anything, it is that weakness is provocative.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“Everyone’s saying you can’t do anything until you can do everything, and in life I’ve never found that to be the case. To me, first you crawl, then you walk, then you run. And so let’s get on with it. Let’s stick something in the ground and not pretend that it’s perfect.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“When surprise occurs, such as when the economy enters an unexpected recession or a conflict begins seemingly out the blue, the natural reaction is to immediately ask who made the “obvious” mistake. It is much easier to believe that our leaders are incompetent than to accept the less pleasant reality that ours is a world where uncertainty and surprise are the norm, not the exception.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“What you measure improves.” A corollary rule in the military is that “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown

“Let your words be as few as will express the sense you wish to convey and above all let what you say be true. —Stonewall Jackson”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns, that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“Whatever your position, reach out to those who know more than you do, and have been around longer than you have. Find those people. Listen carefully. And learn.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships. —Abraham Lincoln”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“People are policy! Without the best people in place, the best ideas don’t matter. —DR. ED FEULNER”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“The harder I work, the luckier I am. —Stephen Leacock”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money. —Margaret Thatcher T”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“Agreement can always be reached by increasing the generality of the conclusion; when this is done, the form is generally preserved but only the illusion of policy is created.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“A similar approach is helpful when considering hiring someone. I try to look at their résumé and background and ask: Where might they want their career to be heading, and how might that coincide with our needs? What kinds of incentives would encourage them to do their best? I try to consider their interests, concerns, and perspectives just as I consider ours. Taking a few moments to think about the hopes and aspirations of others—trying to put yourself in their shoes—is well worth the time and effort.”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“Есть известная известность. Есть вещи, которые мы знаем, что знаем. Есть известная неизвестность. То есть, есть вещи, которые мы знаем, что не знаем. Но существует еще и неизвестная неизвестность. Есть вещи, которые мы не знаем, что не знаем.”
― Donald Rumsfeld

“I wrote a memo for the President, noting that McGovern’s “warmth, concern, and decency are appealing.” I suggested that the administration seek opportunities to highlight Nixon’s interest in the problems of ordinary Americans. I believed Nixon did care about improving people’s quality of life but that he just preferred to view and discuss things in theoretical, rather than personal,”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown

“Bank, NATO, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization of American States,”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see. —Arthur Schopenhauer”
― Donald Rumsfeld, Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life

“There are no "knowns." There are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we do not know we don't know.”
― Donald Rumsfeld