What is Windmill & Why We’re Using It
Windmill is an AI-powered performance management platform that integrates with the tools we already use (e.g., Slack, Google Workspace) to help managers and employees stay aligned, give better feedback, and run more effective 1:1s. Windy is available in Slack and the Windmill Dashboard. Windy helps you prepare for 1:1s and respond to Pulse surveys. You can also message Windy to give feedback about a colleague. Reply in the message thread when Windy contacts you. You can also leave and request feedback on the Feedback page in the Windmill Dashboard. Use Feedback > To-dos to respond to a request or decline it. Check the audience before submitting feedback. We’re using Windmill to help us move toward more continuous feedback and recognition, and make check-ins between managers and direct reports more effective and prepared, while ensuring a lightweight process.What You Can Expect
Individual contributors will receive occasional Slack messages from Windy asking about upcoming 1:1 agenda items or short pulse surveys. Reply in the Slack thread. You can also complete available work in the Windmill Dashboard. Managers can also read feedback permitted by its audience, their shared 1:1 notes, and available team information in Windmill. Manager status does not provide access to every feedback entry.Best Practices for Managers
- Choose your 1:1 notification settings so Windy knows which upcoming meetings to contact you about and when to send the message.
- Check the platform regularly. The Windmill platform is where you’ll find catch-me-ups for 1:1s, feedback your team has received, and pulse survey results — all organized by employee.
- Respond to Windy in threads. When Windy reaches out, reply within the thread so the conversation stays organized.
- Use Windy proactively. You can always message @Windy directly to look up recent feedback, pull up 1:1 context, or get a quick catch-up on a team member.
Best Practices for ICs
- Reply to Windy’s messages. When Windy reaches out, it’s because there’s a specific action that helps your manager support you better, like sharing your agenda for an upcoming 1:1 or answering a Pulse survey.
- Give proactive feedback. Message Windy: “@Windy, I want to give feedback about [person’s name].” You can also use Feedback > Leave feedback when that page is enabled.
- Prepare when Windy reaches out. When Windy asks what you’d like to cover in your next 1:1, add a few items ahead of time to make the meeting more useful.