You also want to have smart people around with diverse knowledge, skill sets, and life experiences.

FORBES: You're Not Indecisive; You Just Have Option Confusion

"You really need someone who is a renaissance person with a tremendous range of skill, both political and substantive, with a deep reservoir of knowledge, " Burns said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"You really need someone who is a renaissance person with a tremendous range of skill, both political and substantive, with a deep reservoir of knowledge, " Burns said in an interview.

CNN: Obama nominates John Kerry to be secretary of state