Flashbots cares deeply about their people and making the company a fantastic place to work. It’s a company that deeply values democracy and autonomy, embodies hacker energy, and is allergic to anything ‘corporate’. They’ve always been on the lookout for ways to improve the vibes, but their old engagement surveys weren’t cutting it. The questions were uninspiring, the insights were meh, and with no consistent schedule, participation rates were less than stellar.
In early 2024, we worked with Fran from Flashbots to revamp their approach to employee feedback. Enter: vibe checks. These check-ins were designed to actually matter—to both employees and leaders—and feel like something people want to answer, not just another box to tick. We also introduced a regular rhythm so employees knew when to expect them, and leaders were ready to act on the results. And because nobody likes long, drawn-out surveys, we kept it short and sweet with just five key questions which are answered on a 1-5 scale, from strongly agree to strongly disagree:
- I know and can recite our biggest 1-2 priorities as a company right now
- I feel supported in managing my workload and maintaining balance during busy times
- I feel I am making a meaningful impact with my work
- I have a great working relationship with my manager
- I would recommend Flashbots as a great place to work
Now, vibe checks run every couple of months, with results transparently shared at All Hands meetings. Participation has shot up from 35% to over 75%, and employee engagement scores have more than doubled since late 2023. Even better, every survey leads to real, actionable changes, so employees can see their feedback making a difference.
The result? Happier employees, stronger vibes, and a workplace culture that just keeps getting better.
“Working with TPDH and Alex on vibe checks was amazing — she totally gets how to tailor best practices to fit our culture. The feedback has been great, and our brainstormed actions are already driving change. Vibe checks give us a clear read on the themes, challenges, and wins happening at Flashbots.”
— Fran Keating, Head of People at Flashbots