"Lincoln was second."

Everett was first. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the bodies outnumbered the townsfolk 3 to 1. To inter the dead in a respectable fashion, the townsfolk, lead by David Wills, requested funds for a National Cemetery.

In a ceremony to dedicate the cemetery, Edward Everett was chosen as orator. He was a famous orator of the time and the people must have felt they got their money's worth. He delivered a two-hour, 13,607-word speech that most of you probably have never heard of, let alone have heard.
Lincoln was second. Inviting Lincoln was apparently and afterthought of the organizers. The sent the letter 17 days before the event and asked him to make a few appropriate remarks. Here's what he said: (it's only ten sentences, read the whole thing.)

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate...we can not consecrate...we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
A few appropriate remarks?! Really?! Or, maybe he summed up the struggle of a nation's quest for truth and justice for all in ten sentences.

Impact cannot be not known in the present.
I don't think people, though probably moved, knew that they had heard a speech that would become one of the most famous of all time. Just as we can never know how our words affect those with whom we interact on a daily basis.

How easy it is to let harsh words become the norm for our daily interactions and relationships. How few and far between are true words of encouragement.

Favorite teachers. Most of us have a favorite teacher from our school days. One of mine was Mr. McCleary my 6th grade science teacher. In that class, as long as you followed the rules, it was an eye-opening adventure of discovery every lab day. Nothing was impossible and no idea was too crazy as long as you followed the scientific method as you tried it out. Nothing fancy. Mr. McCleary just encouraged us to experiment with science.

Mr. Barr, my favorite music teacher took a chance on an awkward 9th grader and gave him his first solo. Believe me there were safer bets in the Chorus. I went on to Districts, to theater, to sing in college in a group in which I met my wife. What was his real impact on me?

Who were your favorite teachers? What impact did they have on your life? How did they encourage you?

Be second. Lincoln didn't ask to be first. He said what he felt, and what he felt needed to be said. He used a horrific tragedy to focus the country on completing the mission for what was true and good and right.

You don't need to be first. You don't need to be flashy. You don't need to speak 13,000 words to encourage your team. Just speak openly, honestly, and speak encouragement; a little everyday.

Focus your team on what is good and true and right in your business. Focus them on your guests, and maybe they will look back someday and remember how you put them first.

Have a great week. - Hugh

PS To read more about the Gettysburg Address, visit Wikipedia.