Sam Lepak

Sam Lepak is Head of Growth at Matter, where he spends most of his time talking with the HR leaders, people managers, and founders Matter serves. He writes about recognition, rewards, and employee feedback through that lens — less theory, more what actually works in the teams he talks to each week.
Employee Engagement
2026 Complete Guide on Coworker Appreciation Day
Showing appreciation to your coworkers is essential and choosing a day to celebrate each other is the perfect opportunity to do so! Not only is this good for morale, but the statistics back it up.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Coworker Appreciation [2026 Ultimate Guide]
Most businesses value customer appreciation, but what about coworker appreciation? Implementing a culture of appreciation in the workplace can increase morale and overall productivity.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Appreciation Notes to Coworker (With Examples for 2026)
There is no doubt that gratitude can make a huge impact in every aspect. Writing an appreciation note to a coworker is a great way to implement the attitude of gratitude in the workplace.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Appreciation Letters to Coworker (2026 Guide)
Writing an appreciation letter to coworkers can be an effective way to build a culture of gratitude within a company. They don’t need to be anything elaborate. People just want to feel appreciated!
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
22 Tips & Ideas to Thank You to Coworker [2026 Guide]
When people feel appreciated, they are much more likely to put in their best effort. This is especially true at work. When you say thank you to a coworker, you are making a difference!
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Rewards
15 Examples of Thank You to Coworkers for Gift
Saying thank you to coworkers for a gift that you received is important. Not doing so will make you look unappreciative and could lower the morale of the team. When in doubt, always show gratitude!
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
5 Min Read
Productivity
How to Write A Thank You Note to a Group of Coworkers [2026 Guide]
Writing a thank you note to an individual colleague is one thing, but when you have to write it to a group of coworkers it can be difficult to know where to begin. This article provides step-by-step instructions to get you started.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Engagement
How Companies Develop and Maintain Strong Employee Relations [With Examples]
Companies should never underestimate the importance of developing and maintaining strong employee relations. The employee relations strategy can make or break a business.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Engagement
Employee Relations [2026 Complete Guide]
Employee relations are more important than many realize. When employees are happy and treated with respect, their performance improves and revenues go up.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Engagement
Employee Development [2026 Complete Guide]
Everything you need to know about employee development and so much more. Including pros and cons, employee development plans, programs, goals, and ways to encourage it in your workplace.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
What is Kudos? Meaning & Tools for Workplace Impact in 2026
Discover the true meaning of kudos and how to use it to improve employee engagement. Learn creative ways to give kudos and build a culture of recognition.
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
15+ Ways to Give Employee Kudos to Motivate in 2026
Learn how to give effective employee kudos with examples, templates, and email tips. Boost kudos, employee recognition, and engagement with real-world ideas.
Sam Lepak
May 26, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
7 Kudos Software: Features, Pricing & Reviews [2026 Guide]
Deciding on a kudos software? Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to help you make the best decision for your company.
Sam Lepak
May 5, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Kudos Employee Recognition: 45 Examples and How to Use Them
Explore 45 kudos employee recognition examples and ideas. Learn how to boost morale, engage employees, and create a culture of appreciation with kudos.
Sam Lepak
May 17, 2026
9 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Kudos Definition: 15+ Things to Know and Best Use of Kudos
Learn the true kudos definition and where the word comes from. Understand what kudos means, how to use it, and the kudos to you meaning in daily conversation.
Sam Lepak
May 26, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Feedback
2026 Ultimate Guide to Employee Feedback
Employee feedback is a very important part of employee retention and employee morale. Employees feel appreciated when they receive employee feedback from their leaders and teams that identify both the good and the bad things that employees have done in a given period. Alternatively, employees can provide feedback about the company or employer to help the company resolve any workplace issues. Without employee feedback, organizations are unable to grow.
Sam Lepak
Jun 12, 2026
7 Min Read
Performance Management
Causes and Effects of Employee Turnover [2026]
Employee turnover can greatly impact one’s business, and with many different factors that can greatly affect it. Today, we’ll be talking about five causes and effects of employee turnover.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Engagement
Everything About Employee Experience Management in 2026
An easy-to-understand guide to employee experience management, the science behind a happy workforce.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
5 Min Read
Productivity
5 Must-Have Employee Experience Software in 2026
Employee experience software can simplify your HR life and make employee experience management a breeze. Here’s a review of some of our favorites.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Engagement
2026 Winning Employee Experience Strategy
A winning employee experience strategy may be all that is lacking to move your company from mediocrity to the ranks of the great. This article covers all the info you need to get started.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Surveys
2026 Employee Experience Survey [Top 10 Questions]
An employee experience survey can be an instrumental part of employee experience management, providing actionable insights for your employee experience strategy. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Engagement
2026 Ultimate Guide to Employee Experience
Employee experience has the potential to make or break your organization. Here’s what you need to know about this HR centerpiece.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
7 Min Read
Performance Management
8 Strategies to Help Reduce Employee Turnover
Employee turnover can be a major problem for many organizations, but it doesn’t have to be -- by following these strategies, you could reduce your turnover rate and result in a healthier and more profitable business.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Performance Management
Differences Between Involuntary & Voluntary Employee Turnover
While neither voluntary or involuntary employee turnover are necessarily good for business, there are silver linings to both. Today, we’ll be discussing the differences between the two and the positives and negatives to both.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
5 Min Read
Performance Management
Employee Turnover Rate Explained
What exactly is employee turnover rate, and why does it matter? In this post, we’ll be examining the idea behind employee turnover and whether or not your business is suffering because of it, as well as how you can learn more about it.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
5 Min Read
Performance Management
Exactly How Expensive is Employee Turnover?
Employee turnover can be detrimental to your company, with incredibly high costs and several over downsides. But we must ask -- exactly how expensive is employee turnover? Today we’ll be answering that question and more.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Performance Management
How to Calculate Your Business's Employee Turnover Rate [With Formula]
Employee turnover can be a tricky issue for businesses, and sometimes figuring out what your turnover rate is can be difficult. That’s why today we’d like to help by discussing how you can calculate your business’ turnover rate and also provide a few tips on how to reduce it.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
4 Min Read
Performance Management
The Great Resignation: Why Employee Turnover Is At An All-Time High
Employee turnover is at an all-time high, and it seems to be directly brought on by the so-called “Great Resignation” that appears to have been caused by both economic panic and pandemic fatigue.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
6 Min Read
Performance Management
2026 Comprehensive Guide to Employee Turnover
With employee turnover being a bigger problem than ever for private businesses, it’s important to understand the various ways how you can maximize employee retention and keep involuntary turnover from affecting your business.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Feedback
11 Constructive Criticism Writing Examples to Produce Results
Written constructive criticism needs to be thoughtful and specific with word choice so that it is not misinterpreted. These 11 constructive criticism writing examples will help you write the perfect feedback that will produce results.
Sam Lepak
Jun 12, 2026
6 Min Read
Performance Management
8 Powerful Employee Retention Techniques in 2026
Employee retention techniques are long-term strategies that can help you turn your disengaged employees into a loyal team. Here are eight top techniques that can transform your company.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
6 Min Read
Performance Management
2026 Ultimate Guide to Employee Retention
Employee retention has never been more critical than today, when a disengaged workforce and high voluntary turnover rates are costing businesses billions. This guide provides an overview of employee retention strategies, principles, and best practices.
Sam Lepak
May 12, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Engagement
11 Benefits of Employee Empowerment [2026 Guide]
If you’ve been debating whether employee engagement is worth the trouble of implementation, this post is for you! Discover 11 benefits of employee empowerment and how you can make them real in your organization.
Sam Lepak
May 6, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Virtual Employee Appreciation Ideas [2026 Guide]
Virtual employee appreciation is becoming more important than ever. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to show your remote team recognition for their accomplishments and build morale.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Raising Workforce Morale with Employee Appreciation Emails
Employee appreciation emails are an invaluable tool to raise workforce morale and increase employee retention. In this guide, you’ll learn how to write appreciation emails and what to avoid.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
19 Employee Appreciation Quotes For Performance & Engagement
Employee appreciation quotes can be a powerful tool to motivate, inspire and encourage your workforce. These quotes from famous people can help engage your employees and bring a new perspective to their ‘same old’ workday.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
3 Min Read