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What is Windmill & Why We’re Using It

Windmill is an AI-powered performance management platform that integrates with our daily tools (e.g., Slack, Google) to make reviews simpler, more meaningful, and reflective of real work.  Windmill uses AI to help gather context (i.e., goals, projects, feedback) and gives everyone structured guidance directly in Slack throughout the process.  While Windmill uses AI to surface helpful information, AI is not evaluating anyone’s performance. Managers are still responsible for writing feedback and finalizing reviews. You’ll receive a Slack notification from Windy, Windmill’s AI agent, with instructions when it’s your turn to complete each step.

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Why we chose it:

  • Reviews grounded in real work: Windy continuously collects feedback and activity data from your tools, so reviews are based on actual work, not distant memories or biased recollections.
  • Faster and more consistent:  Instead of employees and managers spending hours writing from scratch, Windy surfaces a complete picture of employee performance, pulling in real examples, highlights, and feedback over the review period for you to review, revise, or approve.
  • Higher quality feedback:  Windy is trained to prompt for specificity and balance. When responses are vague, Windy follows up with nudges focused on specific examples and outcomes rather than personalities, ensuring reviews are actionable, fair, and grounded in reality.

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How the Review Process Works

A typical Windmill review cycle includes some combination of:
  • Self reviews — You reflect on your own impact and growth
  • Peer reviews — Colleagues share feedback on collaboration and strengths
  • Upward reviews — Direct reports share feedback about their manager
  • Manager reviews — Managers draft comprehensive performance reviews
Self, peer, and upward reviews all happen in Slack. Windy will message you when it’s your turn and walk you through it conversationally. Your responses are automatically saved and uploaded to the Windmill platform. Manager reviews are completed in the Windmill platform, where managers have access to a compiled packet, including all peer feedback, the employee’s self review, relevant work activity, and 1:1 notes from the review period.

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For Individual Contributors: What to Expect

  1. You’ll receive a Slack message from Windy when it’s time to complete your part of the cycle. Just follow the prompt; Windy will guide you step by step. You can choose to complete your self review directly in Slack, or in the Windmill platform.
  2. Windy brings context to you. Rather than staring at a blank box, Windy will surface examples from your work — recent projects, feedback you’ve received, and highlights from your 1:1s — to help you write something authentic and specific.
  3. Be honest and specific. The more concrete your examples, the more useful the review. Windy will prompt you if your responses are too vague.
  4. You won’t be evaluated by AI. Windy helps gather context and structure the draft, but your manager is always the one writing and finalizing your review.

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For Managers: What to Expect

  1. Your team will complete their parts first. Windy reaches out to employees to gather self reviews, peer feedback, and/or upward reviews before you begin your manager review.
  2. You’ll get a Performance Review Packet. Once the input is collected, the Windmill platform assembles a packet for each of your direct reports with their self review, peer feedback, upward reviews (if applicable), and a summary of their work and contributions over the review period.
  3. Draft in the Windmill platform. Use the packet as your foundation. Windy will help surface themes, flag gaps, and generate a structured draft that you can edit, revise, and approve.
  4. Finalize your review. Windmill uses AI to compile and draft, but you are responsible for the final review. Read it carefully and make sure it reflects your honest assessment.
  5. Track your team’s progress. In the Windmill platform, you can see who has completed each step and who still has items outstanding.

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Tips for a Great Review Cycle

For ICs
  • Complete your self review promptly and thoughtfully. This feeds into your manager’s packet.
  • When writing peer feedback, focus on specific behaviors and outcomes, not general impressions.
  • Chat with Windy in Slack or in the platform at any time if you need help jogging your memory or formulating your responses.
For Managers
  • Review the Performance Packet before drafting. Don’t just approve the AI draft. Add your own voice and specific observations.
  • Make sure ratings are grounded in evidence from the packet, not gut feel.
  • After reviews are shared, plan time with each direct report to discuss their feedback and next steps.

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Support

If you have questions, please reach out to me, or to Windmill’s support team at lisa@gowindmill.com

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Where to Learn More