As Duolingo welcomes 42 recent graduates to its team, CEO Luis von Ahn shared five key pieces of advice to help them succeed. His top rule? “Don’t be unkind.”
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In a LinkedIn post, von Ahn explained that he shares these five tips annually when Duolingo onboards “a big batch” of new graduates.
Rule #1: ‘Don’t Be Unkind’
Von Ahn’s primary advice for Duolingo’s new hires is to check their egos at the door:
“No oversized egos or manipulating others to get your way. Duolingo has zero tolerance for toxic behavior, and our culture quickly spots and rejects it.”
Rule #2: ‘Create Solutions’
Rather than dwelling on problems, von Ahn urged new hires to propose solutions:
“If something bothers you, you have the freedom to address it here. We’re still refining many processes, so if you spot an issue, take action to fix it.”
A LinkedIn commenter noted that von Ahn’s second tip struck a chord, saying, “Identifying problems is easy, but solving them is rare. Those who take initiative to find solutions often advance the fastest.”
Rule #3: ‘Prioritize the Company’s Mission’
Von Ahn advised new hires to make decisions in this order: “What’s best for Duolingo’s mission, then your team, and finally yourself.”
He clarified that this doesn’t mean overworking but focusing on what advances the company’s goals. “Those who align with Duolingo’s mission tend to thrive more than those focused solely on personal gain,” he said.
Rule #4: ‘Engage with Our Product’
Von Ahn emphasized the importance of using Duolingo’s app:
“It sounds obvious, but it’s critical. I still report bugs myself. How can you improve a product you don’t understand?”
Some LinkedIn users jumped in, with one reporting bugs and suggesting Duolingo adapt more to learners’ needs.
Rule #5: ‘Success = Luck + Persistence’
Von Ahn shared that success at Duolingo requires “65% luck and 35% hard work, sustained over about two decades.”
Drawing from advice given by a friend, he said this formula reflects his own journey: “You don’t need to be the smartest person. Just keep showing up and pushing forward until luck finds you. Persistence leads to surprising results.”
Investing in Duolingo’s Future
In a separate LinkedIn post last month, von Ahn praised Duolingo’s internship and new-graduate programs:
“Hiring new grads is one of the smartest long-term investments,” he wrote, noting their role in building a lasting company and product.
He highlighted that new graduates bring fresh perspectives, unburdened by industry “best practices.”
“Some of our best features come from new grads who don’t yet know what’s ‘impossible,’ so they make it happen,” he said.
Von Ahn added that graduates instinctively grasp the company’s culture and product, often becoming top leaders. “Several of our senior leaders started as new grads years ago. Their deep institutional knowledge is something you can’t hire externally.”