Donald Rumsfeld, a two-time Secretary of Defense, has led a particularly polarizing life.. with his involvement in pushing the United States of A into war with Iraq, along with his running of G.D. Searle and Co, as their CEO...The latter was the company that politically and questionably shoehorned getting the artificial sweetener Aspartame approved by the F.D.A. back in the 70's. We can thank him for indirectly allowing the syrupy and chemically tasting drink known as Diet Coke, to become a staple now for millions and millions of people worldwide.
He's now making the rounds on the media circuit (circus) to promote his new book entitled: Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life. It's a book chock full of quotes that he's been accumulating in his strategic head over his iron-fisted and no holds barred lifetime.
A few of his rules sound kind of like something Frank Caliendo the comedian would have said while impersonating George W. Bush or quite possibly, even Curly Howard of The Three Stooges.
Try saying the following quotes in your head using either the late Curly Howard's voice, Frank Caliendo's voice doing George W. or the actual Donald Rumsfeld one and try to figure out who actually said it:
A) "A penny saved, is one cent. Or in spanish...cent-a-vo"
B) "‘I stand by what I meant"
C) "I must bring-if-icate"
D) "I'm trying to think but nothing happens!"
E) “I’m not into this detail stuff. I’m more concept-y.”
F) "I knew it was coming, but I didn't expect it"
(see answers below)
Back to Rumsfeld's book: Love him or hate him, hate him or love him, but one of his rules in the book is great to live by if you're in any form of business:
“If you are working from your inbox, you are working on other people’s priorities". A successful business person creates tasks, requests help or information, partners with others by creating and sending e-mails that stimulate action from the person they are sending it to. But successful business communication needs to be a good flowing two-way street, like patriotic red blood coursing back and forth through ones' bluish veins...
You can't just ignore the e-mails coming back to your inbox...just focus more of your time on creating and sending e-mails that stimulate action!
Quiz Quote Answers:
A, C, F) Frank Caliendo doing George W.
B, E) Donald Rumsfeld
D) Curly Howard (hear the sound byte - http://www.hark.com/clips/pbqrsvclsj-im-trying-to-think-but-nothing-happens)