You have achieved excellence as a leader when people will follow you anywhere if only out of curiosity.

Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.

It was the Congress that imposed 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' it was certainly my position, my recommendation to get us out of an even worse outcome that could have occurred.

I have always admired the Linking Pin theory of management specialist Rensis Likert. It says that in every organization there are leaders who link the lower level to the upper level. What makes somebody an effective link as a leader is that he conveys down everything that above wants and he conveys up everything that below needs.

Great leaders are those who are able to look reality in the face, however painful it may be, and deal with it.

I would sit and talk to any president who wishes to talk to me, but I'm not anxious to rule it in.

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.