Brett Hellman

Brett Hellman

Brett Hellman is the CEO of Matter, dedicated to crafting a product that makes work more joyful and meaningful. He’s passionate about designing tools that help teams feel recognized, valued, and engaged.
Productivity
How to Develop a Growth Mindset: 10 Strategies to Success
It goes without saying that everyone, not just professionals, should strive for a growth mindset. You have the power to climb mountains, brave storms, and ride the waves! 🙌 Now, let's kick fixed mindset out and start developing a growth mindset!
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 28, 2026
3 Min Read
Leadership
Growth Mindset TED Talks: 4 Binge-worthy Videos for the Mind
We compiled our top four favorite growth mindset TED Talks to help you develop a growth mindset. Get ready to sit back, learn, and flex that mind of yours.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 13, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
Growth Mindset Activities for Professionals
Developing a growth mindset is not only a skill to have in the workplace but all parts of life. Reflecting on your experiences, discovering the positives, and physically meditating on them can alter our attitudes and create some epic experiences.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 13, 2026
3 Min Read
Employee Feedback
How to Give Feedback: The Do’s and Don’ts
Providing feedback to your peers can be pretty difficult. But, once you realize that giving feedback is the key to helping your colleagues improve their professional skills, then it becomes easier.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
2 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Peer Feedback: Advantages and Disadvantages
Peer reviews are a growing practice of assessing a professional's performance. This feedback guide will help you understand and consider key points when sourcing peer feedback.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Feedback
4 Types of Feedback to Expect in the Workplace
Receiving feedback the most valuable information you can get for your professional development. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of feedback, let’s get comfortable with the types of feedback you can expect. And, yes there’s more than just ONE type of feedback.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
What Is Radical Candor?
We need candor more than ever. To be specific, we need radical candor now more than ever. We named dropped radical candor a couple of blogs ago, but we promised to come back.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
What Does Candor Mean in the Professional World?
Now that you have candor definition under your belt, but what does candor mean in the context of the workplace for professionals?
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
3 Min Read
Matter Updates
Changelog
This week's changelog comes with bug fixes and a dashing new way to track the status of your feedback requests and where they've landed.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 22, 2026
7 Min Read
Productivity
WFH 101: Yes, Zoom Call Etiquette Exists
Now is the time to work those verbal communications muscles (even if you can't go to the gym). We're answering some of your frequently asked questions on video chatting etiquette. Wear pants, put that sandwich down, and let’s get into it.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
WFH 101: Matter's 6 Must-Have Collab Tools
Professionals are now relying heavily on technology to handle multiple tasks, improve workflow, and just have some kind of interaction. We've compiled our go-to apps to helps us truck through this outbreak.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
New Job, New City, New Virus: Juggling a Career and Coronavirus
As a first-time, young professional with a new job, I thought my biggest obstacle was adjusting to work life. However, in recent light of the virus outbreak, I’ve had to navigate conversations about my safety and adapt to work-from-home life (WFH) all while adjusting to a new city.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Mar 16, 2020
4 Min Read
Leadership
Supporting Your Team During COVID-19
There is no one size fits all guide on how to handle a crisis like the coronavirus. Every team is made up with different individual needs and the best policy will be one that adapts and evolves with the situation, in this case, the outbreak.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Mar 10, 2020
4 Min Read
Leadership
How Women Leadership Helps Make ADAY
Lately, there’s been a big shift in workplace mentality: An increasing demand for women leadership. In fact, fifty percent of Americans now say they’d prefer working in a women led team.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Apr 21, 2020
5 Min Read
Productivity
Why Women Should Stop Saying Sorry in the Workplace
It's ritualistic that when we do something wrong, we follow up with “sorry.” But, profusely apologizing is a sign of an empty promise. So, why do we apologize when there's nothing to apologize for?
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Leadership
What is Affiliative Leadership and How to Leverage It
When Indra Nooyi stepped down as PepsiCo’s CEO after 12 years, she would not only be regarded as the first female CEO, but a leader whose unique methods changed the trajectory of the multinational corporation.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
What is Indecisiveness and Is That Me?
The inability to make a secure decision is the kiss of death. Yes or no? Up or down? Left or right? However, utilizing your analytical thinking skills can help you overcome indecisiveness. If Barbara Walters can do it, so can you.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Leadership
What is Servant Leadership and Why it's Important
After surviving an assassination attempt, the Pakistani activist turned this tragedy into a movement. She has devoted her life to fight for female education around the world earning her spot among the many historic, servant leaders.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 20, 2026
3 Min Read
Productivity
What is Decisiveness and Why is It Important?
Decisiveness means coming to a firm conclusion quickly and effectively. As simple as that definition is, there is immense power in decision-making.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
How to Identify Intrinsic Motivation and Why It Matters
Intrinsic motivation comes in various forms, but you know you’re intrinsically motivated in any situation if it genuinely brings you happiness. That feeling should not be hindered or influenced my tangible materials or money.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 13, 2026
5 Min Read
Productivity
Why Goal Setting Is Important and How to do It
Melanie Perkins believes in setting goals so big they frighten you. Goals so enormous that you can’t always articulate them, can’t always see the path ahead, and you’re unsure whether it’s actually achievable.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 20, 2026
4 Min Read
Leadership
How Decisive Leadership Saved General Motors from Catastrophe
How Mary Barra’s decisive leadership saved General Motors from bankruptcy when an ignition switch failure caused 124 fatalities and 274 injuries.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 21, 2026
5 Min Read
Productivity
What is Deliberate Listening and How to Conquer It
Listening helps you actually hear what others are saying. Reporter Ronnie Polaneczsky has some tips on how to be a more deliberate listener.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 20, 2026
5 Min Read
Matter Updates
Introducing #FeedbackFriday
Many of us know giving feedback is important. But how many of us actually find time in between meetings and day-to-day work to give feedback to our teams?
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Matter Updates
#FeedbackFriday Challenge (Win a Free Pair of AirPods Pro)
​Last week, we shared how our team at Matter started incorporating a new weekly tradition that carves out dedicated time to share feedback every week. We call it: Feedback Friday.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Feb 2, 2020
2 Min Read
Productivity
Survive Difficult Conversations at Work and Live to Tell the Tale
It’s easier to shy away from conflict. Because there’s a fear of rejection from our peers and managers. However, conflict isn’t necessarily a bad thing and can lead to better work.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
Soft Skills Examples: How These 4 Leaders Built An Empire With Them
Soft skills are a combination of social, emotional, character, and personality skills that enable people to navigate the workplace, accomplish their goals, and be good leaders.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
3 Min Read
Matter Updates
New: Custom Surveys Help You Gather Feedback on Specific Skills
Since our launch, we've heard the growing need for more customization when it came to gathering feedback. Now with Custom Surveys, you'll be able to gather feedback on specific skills based on the peers you're asking and your interactions with them.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Nov 18, 2019
4 Min Read
Productivity
What Are Intrapersonal Skills and Why Are They Important?
Intrapersonal skills are part of the intangible “soft skills” that you can learn to cultivate and bring to the table everywhere you go.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 28, 2026
4 Min Read
Productivity
What Are Soft Skills and Why Are They Important?
You don't have to graduate from a top university to acquire soft skills. Intangible soft skills like listening and empathy help facilitate relationships with others, get buy-in on ideas, and move projects forward with less friction.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 28, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Negative Feedback 101
Throughout your career, feedback is necessary to highlight your hits and redirect your misses. Nobody wants to be criticized at work. However, when you receive and handle negative feedback with an open...
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Constructive Feedback: What It Is and Why It's Important
Why is effective, constructive feedback so hard to give and get? Honestly, it’s not easy to tell someone where they went wrong. It’s also not exactly easy to gather critical feedback without feeling like you’re being judged or put down.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Why Feedback Is Important For Your Career
Feedback is an essential tool for developing and honing soft and professionals skills. Praise is shared publicly and constructive criticism offered privately.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Performance Management
Asking The Right Questions: 360-Degree Performance Review
According to Gartner, 59% of employees believe that traditional performance reviews have “little to no impact” on their performance. Done well, 360-degree feedback can fix this issue and give you the kind of feedback that can identify blind spots for career growth.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Matter Updates
How Email Deliverability Almost Killed Matter
Matter was on the brink of failure before it even began, simply because we couldn’t get email deliverability to work. This post shares our mistakes and learnings.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jul 14, 2019
5 Min Read
Employee Feedback
The Importance of 360 Degree Feedback
Honest communication is a key component of every successful business. In order to keep the team operating at peak efficiency, crushing goals, and working collaboratively, it’s important to continuously gather regular feedback from each person in your organization.
Brett Hellman
Brett Hellman
Jun 12, 2026
6 Min Read