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. The experience lives almost entirely in Slack. At the center of Windmill is Windy, your AI assistant in Slack. Windy will reach out in Slack to help you prep for 1:1s, collect feedback from colleagues, and occasionally send quick Pulse surveys. Just reply in thread like you would to any colleague. 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, requesting feedback on colleagues they’ve been collaborating with, or short pulse surveys. Everything happens in Slack threads. Managers get all of the above, plus access to recaps on what each team member accomplished each week, feedback their team is receiving, 1:1 notes, and team insights aggregated in one place.Best Practices for Managers
- Set up 1:1 Prep for your direct reports so Windy can start collecting agenda items automatically before each meeting. It only takes a minute to configure.
- Check the platform regularly. The Windmill platform is where you’ll find recaps, 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, answering a Pulse survey, or giving feedback on a colleague you worked with recently.
- Give proactive feedback. You don’t have to wait for Windy to ask. Start a new thread with @Windy anytime: “Hey @Windy, can I give some feedback to [person’s name]?”
- Use your 1:1 prep time. When Windy asks what you’d like to cover in your next 1:1, treat it like a lightweight planning tool. Adding a few items ahead of time makes the meeting more useful for you.