If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.

Learn to say "I don't know." If used when appropriate, it will be often.

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a bottleneck.

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that.

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later.

The war against terrorism... will use every element of American influence and power, ... The aim is to create conditions for sustained anti-terrorist and humanitarian relief efforts in Afghanistan.