Meet DeepL: The traits we look for in employees

At DeepL, we believe success starts with having the right mindset. Because the way we approach challenges, collaborate across teams and grow together defines who we are — not just as a company, but as a community.

To better understand what truly helps people to thrive at DeepL, we spoke with our Chief People Officer Sally Sourbron. Since joining DeepL in early 2024, Sally has helped shape how we embed growth, curiosity and ownership into everything we do. Her insights reveal the key traits that drive both individual success and collective progress.

Could you introduce yourself and your role at DeepL?

My name is Sally, and I lead our People function here at DeepL. I joined in January 2024, and it’s been a whirlwind ever since! Our focus has been on enhancing the employee experience and evolving our culture as DeepL grows, both in maturity, and in its global footprint.

In essence, my role is about creating an environment where people can do their best work, where ambition meets empathy, and where purpose drives progress.

What are the core traits or mindsets you believe can help people thrive at DeepL?

DeepL’s values represent our culture. They show what we stand for, how we make decisions and how we behave and take action — both together and for our customers.

A big part of our culture journey has been about embedding a growth mindset. We are pioneers at heart. So creating an environment that embraces challenges, being comfortable with risk and learning from our mistakes is critical.

How do these traits show up in how we work, collaborate or solve problems?

We’ve instilled a feedback culture, starting with our own self-reflection. It helps us understand where we can learn and grow, ensuring that we not only meet our own goals, but accelerate the growth of the business, too. We take ownership, stay accountable and move quickly — which are essential qualities in the world of AI. As a global community, we collaborate closely and take inspiration from the successes of others.

Why are these traits so important for leadership at DeepL?

These qualities set the foundation for how we lead and make decisions. Leadership at DeepL is all about acting with purpose and integrity, while creating an environment where others can do their best work. When our leaders show curiosity, take ownership and lead with empathy, they empower their teams to innovate and grow. In doing so, they build trust, inspire confidence and move us forward together, aligned with our purpose and values.

Can you share an example where one of these traits made a meaningful difference?

One moment that stood out for me came from our early work on evolving our People strategy. We moved fast, and not everything went perfectly the first time. What I loved was how the team leaned into reflection, taking on lessons from building a minimal viable product. That mindset shift — taking feedback as a learning opportunity — helped us continuously improve our processes and deliver a better solution in the next iteration. It’s a great example of how curiosity and ownership come together to drive progress at DeepL.

How do we support or recognize these traits within our culture?

Our values guide how we hire, develop and recognize people, and they shape how we work every day. We celebrate learning moments, encourage feedback and highlight examples of people living our values in action. Through recognition shoutouts, self-reflections of performance and leadership programs, we make sure that purpose, curiosity and collaboration are living qualities that are seen, supported and rewarded.

What advice would you give to someone applying to DeepL who wants to understand our values or expectations?

Be yourself and stay curious. We’re looking for people who are eager to learn, open to feedback and excited to make an impact. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need the courage to ask questions and the drive to grow.

When applying to DeepL, we want to see how you act with purpose, pioneer new ideas and collaborate with integrity. DeepL is a place where ambition meets empathy — where people care deeply about each other and what we’re building for the world.

How do these traits shape who we hire, and how do we help them grow once they’re here?

We hire for potential as much as experience. Throughout the interview process, we look for traits that reflect our values — curiosity, ownership, collaboration and resilience. Once you’re here, our growth and learning practices help you strengthen those same qualities.

Through feedback, mentorship and new challenges, we give people the space to thrive. As one of our values states, “Learn fast, grow faster.” The goal isn’t just to succeed in your role today, but to evolve into who you want to become tomorrow.

At DeepL, traits like curiosity, ownership, and empathy aren’t just ideas. They form the foundation of how we grow and work together. When we combine purpose with curiosity, we unlock our full potential, both as individuals and as one global team.

Want to grow with us? Explore careers at DeepL and discover what it takes to thrive.