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 Feedback
Build a Culture of Feedback to Boost Team Productivity
Discover what a culture of continuous feedback is and check practical tips on how it can improve motivation, trust, and performance in a team.
Sam Lepak
May 11, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
Aligning Company Values with Employee Motivation
How do you cultivate a workplace culture that motivates employees? One company suggests aligning core values with tangible benefits to employees.
Sam Lepak
May 14, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
The Link Between Acknowledgment and Motivation
How recognition affects motivation, productivity, and learning. Practical advice for managers, teachers, and students to increase motivation through acknowledgement.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
Recognition Obstacles to Overcome for Employee Satisfaction
Learn the most common employee recognition obstacles to overcome to retain and recognize them. Show appreciation, support learning, and use modern solutions.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
Best Trends to Adopt from Successful Companies in 2026
Five trends the best companies use in 2026 to boost engagement, retention, and productivity — from continuous recognition to flexible work and employee growth.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
30+ Best Leadership Award Nomination Letter Samples for 2026
Get the best leadership award nomination letter samples and templates. Find outstanding leadership nomination examples and proven letter formats for leaders!
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
8 Min Read
Employee Recognition
45+ Employee of the Year Nomination Examples [2026 Guide]
Master employee of the year nomination examples with proven examples and letters. Get outstanding annual recognition tips and effective nomination strategies.
Sam Lepak
May 14, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
40+ Peer Nomination Examples, Tips & Templates [2026 Guide]
Peer nomination examples, peer-to-peer recognition templates, and recognition software guide. Get proven peer recognition examples to boost team engagement.
Sam Lepak
Jun 2, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
#1 Guide to Company Nominations [2026 Guide & Examples]
Discover company nomination examples, nomination form templates, and expert guidance to create effective workplace recognition and employee award programs.
Sam Lepak
Jun 2, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
39+ Leadership Nomination Examples & Ideas [2026 Guide]
Discover proven leadership nomination examples, excellence award templates, and expert wording samples to recognize outstanding leadership achievements.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
53+ Peer Nomination Examples & Recognition Templates in 2026
Discover proven peer nomination examples, employee recognition templates, and guides to recognize employees through effective peer-to-peer programs.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
45+ Best Staff Nomination for Employee of the Month Examples
Discover proven staff nomination examples for employee of the month programs, including templates, reasons for nomination, and step-by-step submission guides.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
45+ Employee of the Year Nomination [2026 Tips & Templates]
Master employee of the year nominations with proven tips and templates. Get expert guidance, strategies, and professional formats for recognition success.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
50+ Employee of the Month Nomination Examples [2026 Guide]
Master employee of the month nominations with proven examples, forms, and templates. Learn how to write nominations and create effective monthly recognition programs.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
How to Put Awards and Recognition on a Resume [2026 Guide]
Learn how to put awards and recognition on your resume effectively. Showcase achievements, highlight strengths, and make your application stand out.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Why Remote Teams Struggle Without Feedback Loops [2026 Guide]
Discover why remote teams struggle without strong feedback loops and how building continuous feedback improves communication, alignment, and performance.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
4 Min Read
Leadership
3 Mindsets to be Aware of When Welcoming New Employees
Discover common mindsets that can make new employees feel unwelcome and how to create a more inclusive, respectful workplace from their first day of work.
Sam Lepak
Jun 3, 2026
3 Min Read
Employee Recognition
HR AI: Using Tech for Personalized Incentives & Recognition
Discover how AI is transforming HR with personalized incentives and recognition programs—enhancing engagement, fairness, and remote team support.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
2 Min Read
Employee Rewards
63+ Office Fitness Challenges for Every Workplace in 2026
Transform your workplace with office fitness challenges. Discover fun office fitness challenges and ideas that boost health, morale, and team productivity.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
57+ Proven Office Exercise Challenges [2026 Guide & Ideas]
Revolutionize your workplace with 57 office exercise challenges. From fun fitness challenges to physical activity challenges at work that boost health and productivity.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
45+ Office Wellness Challenges for a Healthier Team in 2026
Transform your workplace with 45 office wellness challenges. Discover health and wellness office challenges, monthly programs, and fun activities that work.
Sam Lepak
May 29, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
41+ Workplace Fitness Challenges That Motivate [2026 Guide]
Discover top workplace fitness challenges and wellness ideas. From fun fitness challenges to office fitness challenges that boost team health and engagement.
Sam Lepak
May 29, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
6 Tips to Reward Employees for Successfully Averting Crises
Rewarding employees who successfully avert crises can boost their morale and job engagement. These tips can help leaders reward workers meaningfully.
Sam Lepak
May 21, 2026
3 Min Read
Employee Rewards
Customizing Rewards to the Personality of Employees in 2026
Customizing employee rewards to their personality can make them more impactful. Here are guidelines to reward risk-takers, work-life balance-seekers, and more.
Sam Lepak
May 21, 2026
3 Min Read
Employee Rewards
31 Workplace Wellness Challenges That Drive Results in 2026
Discover 31 workplace wellness challenges ideas that boost employee engagement. From health and wellness challenges to quick activities that transform workplace culture.
Sam Lepak
Jun 2, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Rewards
201+ Fun Team Challenges to Energize Workplaces [2026 Ideas]
Discover 200+ fun team challenges that boost morale and collaboration. From fun team-building games to activities for small and large groups that deliver results.
Sam Lepak
Jun 3, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
How to Handle Team Challenges [2026 Guide with 25+ Ways]
Learn how to handle team challenges effectively with 25 proven strategies. Discover common team challenges, examples, and solutions for teams.
Sam Lepak
Jun 2, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Rewards
19+ Best Employee Incentive Plan Examples for Team Growth
Explore 15 employee incentive plan examples designed to boost morale, improve retention, and increase performance across all types of workplaces.
Sam Lepak
Jun 2, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
39+ Work Incentives Examples That Motivate Employees in 2026
Discover work incentives examples, ideas, and strategies that help boost motivation, retention, and performance across any workplace or team.
Sam Lepak
Jun 7, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
31+ Best Company Incentive Programs for Growth [2026 Guide]
Explore the best company incentive programs, plans, and software to motivate employees and boost business performance through meaningful rewards.
Sam Lepak
May 23, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Turning Employee Feedback Into Real-Time Action [2026 Guide]
Learn how to turn employee feedback into real-time action that improves engagement, drives performance, and builds a culture of continuous improvement.
Sam Lepak
May 29, 2026
2 Min Read
Employee Rewards
25+ Best Work Incentives Ideas to Motivate Employees in 2026
Explore fun work incentives ideas for employees and discover free, creative, and effective workplace incentive ideas to boost morale and performance.
Sam Lepak
May 29, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
17+ Best Employee Wellness Incentive Programs Ideas in 2026
Discover employee wellness incentive programs with real examples, health strategies, and benefits that improve engagement, retention, and workplace well-being.
Sam Lepak
May 29, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
29 Best Staff Incentive Ideas for Team Building [2026 Guide]
Discover the best staff incentive ideas, including programs, rewards, and recognition strategies to boost employee engagement and performance.
Sam Lepak
May 27, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Rewards
23+ Best Employee Incentive Awards and Ideas [2026 Guide]
Discover employee incentive awards and recognition ideas that boost morale, enhance productivity, and strengthen retention across your organization.
Sam Lepak
May 27, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Big Thanks Impact: Psychology Behind Workplace Appreciation
Discover how simple acts of gratitude boost morale, improve performance, and transform team dynamics through the powerful psychology of workplace appreciation.
Sam Lepak
May 27, 2026
3 Min Read