See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor, not made, or not confidently or persuasively implemented.

If you are working from your inbox, you are working on other people’s priorities.

Well, so be it. Nothing's perfect in life, so you have an election that's not quite perfect. Is it better than not having an election? You bet.

Walk around. If you are invisible, the mystique of the President's office may perpetuate inaccurate impressions about you or the President, to his detriment. After all, you may not be as bad as they're saying.

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective.

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.