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6713616
label
How to Deal With Experts
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doc
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document
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1
Source metadata
id
6713616
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
How to Deal With Experts
citationUrl
collections
Gerald R. Ford's Material from the Writing of "A Time to Heal"
Interviews and Subject Files
subjects
Presidential advisors
Presidential personal matters
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6713616
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1978-12-31
year
1978
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ca.
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1977-01-01
year
1977
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nara-archive
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1
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0
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document
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a21a2a474f04c8a1
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President Gerald R. Ford's handwritten reflections, 1977 or 1978
Scanned from the collection Gerald R. Ford: Materials from the writing of A Time
To Heal at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
While writing his autobiography, A Time to Heal (New York: Harper & Row, 1979), President
Gerald R. Ford composed a series of personal reflections on twenty-seven topics. What makes
these documents so unusual is not only their introspection but also their form. President Ford
recorded these observations by hand, writing in blue ball point on his favored yellow writing
tablets. He did not expend time and energy to polish and edit his writing, apparently planning to
do so when incorporating them into the book. Therefore occasional spelling or grammatical
errors or incomplete thoughts appear.
For each reflection the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library has scanned President Ford's
handwritten document and added a Library-produced transcription below to aid in reading the
reflection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
How to deal with effects
In This complicated contraversial, techned world
indirmate deasin makers. self appointed experts are
experts are vitally important, especially Is the
exports in any goven field and spreading The verisponts
a clime - a -dozen. The lane philam is finding real
so a diversiting of opinion is available. a panel all
with the same vilus is not productive but h panel
with dwaracty is involuable.
Having assembled a group They must
unlestand each one has an obligation to speak freeby
without reservation but with respect for The visit fathers
The President must be a good listener maintain order,
ask penetrating questions, push for fallen explanations
of justifications and disguise his own arlus in order
to encourage total frankness. II is vital that Hopert
knows The President respects his knowledge of his integraty
recommendations. even Though The fruit decision manybe emtrain I his
after a panel meeting has been adjurned in order the meentain
te is fan letter to mahr or decision, if possible,
the future suffilence fthe participants.
How to deal with experts
In this complicated, controversial, technical world experts are vitally important, especially to the
ultimate decision makers. Self appointed experts are a dime-a-dozen. The basic problem is
finding real experts in any given field and spreading the viewpoints so a diversity of opinions is
available. A panel all with the same views is not productive but a panel with diversity is
invaluable.
Having assembled a broad gauged group they must understand each one has an obligation to
speak freely without reservation but with respect for the views of others. The President must be
a good listener, maintain order, ask penetrating questions, push for fuller explanations &
justifications and disguise his own views in order to encourage total frankness. It is vital that the
expert knows the President respects his knowledge & his integrity even though the final decision
maybe contrary to his recommendations.
It is far better to make a decision, if possible, after a panel meeting has been adjourned in order
to maintain the future confidence of the participants.