Most of the 50 or so invitations you receive each week come from people inviting the President's Chief of Staff, not you. If you doubt that, ask your predecessor how many he received last week.
Donald RumsfeldDon't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.
Donald RumsfeldKnow that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner, tone and tempo reflect the President's.
Donald RumsfeldDon'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.
Donald Rumsfeld