A president has to provide leadership to gain support.

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership.

You might be a cunning linguist, but I am a master debater.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

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