Aren’t you sick of “smiley face people,” talking about how great this economy is, telling you that if you are stressed you are just being a “downer.” I call them “smiley face people” because no matter what you say, they really aren’t listening, they’re just mouthing platitudes with a perpetual blank beatific smile on their face.

Our economy is in trouble; people are losing their jobs and houses. They’re anxious about the future, don’t know if they’ll have a job next week, and worry about their family and friends.

Millions of people are in a state of stress and that stress is contagious. If any of those people are your employees, colleagues or family members, you’ve seen the impact their stress and yours can have on productivity, performance and relationships.

The “smiley face” people refuse to acknowledge that there are real external factors that are contributing to people’s pain, their lack of motivation, intense headaches, backaches, ulcers and higher blood pressure. These “smiley faces” are actually spreading the stress because other people are too embarrassed to talk about their concerns and think that there I something wrong with them.

The good news for you is that you can manage your stress, improve your performance and be more productive. As an executive you can also create a lower stress environment for your employees and colleagues.

The “smiley people,” are partially right. There are opportunities out there. There are individuals and organizations that continue to flourish and you and your employees can too, but it can only happen if you are vigorously honest about your present state and develop an individual and organizational strategy for success. You and your company can prosper if you take some action, are willing to change your mindset, and be creative.