NATCHEZ &8212; The majesty and mystery of geese in flight provide practical instruction.

The Rev. Steve Pearson, speaking to an audience of child and youth services workers Friday, used the Bible, nature, books, films and a big dose of humor to reflect on how to maintain healthy attitudes in the workplace.

&8220;How can I soar with the eagles when I work all week with turkeys,&8221; he said, warming the audience with that and many other humorous one-liners.

As for the geese, they teach teamwork, something to look for in every successful workplace.

&8220;Geese fly in the V-formation for a reason,&8221; said Pearson, pastor at Community Chapel Church of God in Natchez.

&8220;It&8217;s a group effort to create a better upward air current,&8221; he said. The formation provides more than a 70-percent better lift for the flock.

Second, if one goose falls, two leave the flock and go down to protect it until it is strong enough to fly.

The geese in the rear are the ones doing the honking. &8220;They are encouraging all the ones in front, telling them all is well in the back,&8221; he said.

The same goose does not always lead. They take turns &8212; leadership building.

&8220;The best environment is where everyone works together.&8221;

Pearson began his presentation with questions:

How many like where you work? Have you ever had trouble with a boss? Have you had conflict with another person at work? Are you ever lazy?

All kinds of attitudes exist in a workplace. Learning about them and looking for them inside oneself is useful, he said.

Successful organizations have more than one leader, Pearson said. &8220;They have many leaders who are equipping others around them to be leaders. The level of the whole enterprise should be rising. As a leader, you should be unlocking hidden attributes in your people.&8221;

He used the biblical story in Nehemiah of Israelite people as they returned to rebuild the Jerusalem wall after their exile in Babylon.

&8220;They divided the work into sections. Some of the nobles wouldn&8217;t work but paid people to do their share of the work,&8221; Pearson said.

&8220;Some who came to work on the wall knew how to do construction; some did not. Some did their jobs; some did extra,&8221; he said. It takes all kinds to be successful.

Six principles of good leadership are these:

A good leader must set the example. He is a team player.

A good leader knows it takes all kinds of people; has the ability to make workers feel good about themselves &8220;even when they are being chewed out.&8221;

A good leader realizes that some people do not work. &8220;You give someone a list of things to be done, and they don&8217;t get done,&8221; he said. &8220;Your boss knows when you&8217;re not working.&8221;

A good leader knows some people do more work than others. &8220;Find the workers,&8221; he said.

A good leader works with a passion. &8220;When you don&8217;t like your work, you can&8217;t be passionate about it.&8221;

A good leader knows how to make people work as a family, a team.

Pearson stressed the passion for work and not just for leaders.

&8220;It&8217;s going to cost you something to be passionate about what you do. It is not easy,&8221; he said. On the other hand, &8220;being passionate doesn&8217;t mean you don&8217;t need time off.&8221;

A healthy attitude in the workplace starts with learning one&8217;s strengths, he said. &8220;Decide who you are. Know your gifts and build on them.&8221;

Pearson pointed out that the Bible talks more about money than prayer, with more than 2,000 verses that deal with wealth and possessions.

&8220;It&8217;s important that we earn our money in a way that gives us joy,&8221; he said. &8220;The check for your 40 hours is part of your life. Time is money, and what you spend your money on is very important.&8221;

&8220;Work to be content. Work in order to have &8212; take care of your family. Work in order to give, to the church and to the needy,&8221; he said.