Ekatā Connections: March 2026

Welcome to March!

March is an interesting time for weather in Colorado. Sometimes we get rain. Sometimes it snows. And this year—70° weather! It has been an unusually warm and dry winter, which has certainly impacted our water table, tourism revenue, and wildlife. Our snowpack is 60% lower than the 30-year average. The impact on our ski resorts is particularly challenging. Many Colorado mountain communities rely on tourism revenue for both winter and summer activities. This puts a tremendous strain on the economy, and on its workers.

When organizations face difficult conditions, whether economic, environmental, or internal, it can create uncertainty for both leaders and employees. People may feel stretched, worried about the future, or unsure about what comes next.

So what should companies do during difficult times? How do leaders keep employees engaged when things look so dire? This month, we will focus on how to help your employees and leaders move through challenging times together, starting with something simple but powerful: appreciation.

Employee Appreciation - Especially in Times of Organizational Challenges

Currently, unemployment numbers are at 4.4%, open job numbers have dropped to the lowest levels since the pandemic, and in January 108,000 jobs were cut, which is more than double the amount from the same time in 2025. These types of numbers would rattle any leader’s cage who might be working inside one of these organizations.

Uncertainty and a lack of clarity can be very destabilizing for employees when their organization is going through difficult times. The fact is, most people think the worst when a crisis hits their company. Between layoffs, changes in direction, or hard economic times, people can become fearful, disengaged, and negative if the company doesn’t address the challenges clearly and consistently.

Why appreciation matters during difficult times

When organizations experience pressure, employees may feel uncertain, overlooked, or stretched thin. It’s easy to understand how that could impact the work the company does. No one is at their best when they feel they could be let go. However, intentionally acknowledging employees for the work they are doing can go a long way in propping up the team and helping them reengage in their work.

Employees often value being seen, having their efforts recognized, and understanding how their work positively impacts the organization. Don’t hold back on highlighting the specific efforts that are making a difference.

Three simple ways leaders can show appreciation right now

1. Name the efforts you see: Make sure that you are specific about how employees are showing up during a difficult time. Find a way to let them know you see exactly what they are doing to help the organization and the team.

2. Connect with your team members personally: Hard times in the workplace can create personal stress that impacts someone’s life. Take time to ask how they are doing, reference something you know about them, or ask a non-work-related question. This can go a long way in helping your team know you care about them.

3. Give intentional shoutouts: Acknowledging both individual and team efforts or successes can help boost confidence and self-esteem, which leads to better engagement. It is incredibly important to notice and share positive actions—either verbally or in writing—with your team. This can make a dramatic difference in team productivity.

   
   

Leadership Reflection

When employees are stressed or worried, leaders probably feel the same way. So, take a moment to reflect on how you show your team appreciation during challenging times and commit to doing one act of acknowledgement within the next week.

Questions to ask yourself:

• When was the last time I acknowledged someone’s contribution in a meaningful way and what did I notice about how that impacted them?

• What “quiet efforts” are happening behind the scenes that you could show appreciation for?

• How might small moments of appreciation strengthen your team right now?

Appreciation as a Leadership Practice

Appreciation isn’t only for times of celebration, it’s also incredibly impactful for reengaging people when stress is high. Appreciation is a hidden gem that leaders can engage in that can boost your team’s self esteem, decrease fear, and begin rebuilding after an organizational change. 

Organizations may not always control the challenges they face, but leaders can always choose to recognize the people working hard to move the organization forward.

Written by Kelli Oberndorf, CoFounder