Meet DeepL: building strong leaders with DeepLeadership

At DeepL, strong leadership is at the core of our success. That’s why we’re excited to introduce DeepLeadership, a program designed to empower leaders at every level, from first-time managers to senior leads. 

We sat down with Alli Hamilton, Lead Talent Development Partner, to learn about the vision behind DeepLeadership, the impact it’s making, and how it aligns with our values of growth, collaboration, and innovation.

In this conversation, Alli shares how the program is shaping the future of leadership at DeepL, and helping our people develop the skills, mindset, and confidence to thrive in their role. Let’s dive into what makes DeepLeadership a key driver of our people-first culture.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at DeepL

Hi, I’m Alli, Lead Talent Development Partner at DeepL. I’m responsible for designing and driving strategies that support the growth of our people—especially those stepping into or expanding their leadership roles. My focus is on creating impactful learning experiences that empower leaders at every level to thrive.

What inspired you to build a leadership development program at DeepL?

We know that leaders play a crucial role in shaping the employee experience, driving performance, and fostering growth across the company. As DeepL continues to scale and take on new challenges, we’ve reached a moment that calls for even greater clarity and alignment in our leadership approach. DeepLeadership was created to meet this moment—and to define what great leadership looks like at DeepL today and in the future.

As a certified coach, I’m passionate about helping leaders make real, lasting behavior change. The program was designed to meet leaders where they are, help them discover their authentic leadership style, grow in confidence, and ultimately make a positive impact on themselves, their teams, and the company. We wanted to equip them with the mindset, tools, and community to lead with impact.

What are the key goals of the program, and who is it for?

DeepLeadership supports leaders at every level—from first-time managers to senior leaders. As our teams grow and evolve, we want to ensure that everyone stepping into a leadership role feels equipped, confident, and connected to a shared approach.

The program is designed to:

• Create a consistent leadership experience across teams
• Equip leaders with the skills to empower others and drive results
• Foster a growth mindset and sense of ownership in how leaders show up
• Prepare leaders for future opportunities and internal progression
• Deliver meaningful, enjoyable learning experiences

How does the program help people lead better, day-to-day?

Our DeepLeadership model is rooted in three core areas: Leading Self, Leading Team, and Leading the Organization.

Each program is tailored to a leader’s level and focuses on practical skills from these pillars. We integrate these concepts into live sessions, toolkits, coaching moments, and peer learning to ensure that leaders aren’t just learning; they’re applying what they’ve learned in real time.

Everything is designed for real-world impact. Whether it’s running more effective 1:1s, navigating team dynamics, or making tough decisions, leaders walk away with actionable strategies they can use immediately.

Leaders also learn in small cohorts and are paired with a learning partner to reflect, practice, and coach each other, ensuring the learning sticks long after the sessions end. Additionally, they have access to one-on-one coaching to work through personal leadership challenges as they arise. The focus is always: how does this help me lead better today?

What kind of feedback have you seen so far?

The feedback has been energizing and overwhelmingly positive! Leaders say that they love the opportunity to learn from their peers, try out new skills in a safe space, and feel more confident, connected, and clear about what’s expected of them. 

To understand the program’s impact, we look at a mix of metrics—like participation and completion rates, engagement surveys, 360 assessments of skill improvements, growth in internal promotions, feedback from program participants, performance reviews, and team performance indicators. 

But some of the most meaningful signals come from the informal moments. When someone says, “This helped me have a better conversation,” or “I finally feel like I’m not doing this alone,” we know we’re on the right track.

How does this program reflect DeepL’s values?

DeepLeadership aligns closely with who we are and how we work at DeepL. Just as our product breaks down language barriers, we expect our leaders to break down communication barriers—fostering clarity, connection, and trust. Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and psychological safety lie at the heart of our leadership culture. 

We believe that leaders must first understand and manage themselves before effectively leading others. Our leaders are expected to demonstrate curiosity, remove obstacles, and inspire action. The program helps them grow into those expectations in a manner that’s deeply connected to how we work, communicate, and build trust across the company.

What traits define strong leadership at DeepL—and how do you help people build them?

Strong leadership at DeepL starts with self-awareness and a genuine investment in others’ growth. Our leaders communicate with clarity, coach with care, and bring our vision to life in practical ways. Through intentional development, we help them build the skills to lead themselves, their teams, and the wider organization—not just to drive results, but to elevate everyone around them.

At DeepL, our leaders do more than guide teams; they ignite potential, challenge the status quo, and translate vision into action. DeepL leaders demonstrate self-awareness, continuously learn, and role model our values in everything they do.

They foster a culture of innovation and bold thinking, communicate without barriers, and build bridges across teams, ideas, and perspectives. With authenticity and integrity, they promote decisive action and empower others to excel. More than navigating change, they create it—cultivating an environment where creativity thrives, collaboration flourishes, and people reach new heights.

Want to grow with us?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your leadership journey, DeepL is a place where growth is supported at every level. Explore our Careers page if you’d like to play your part in what’s next.