Lighting the Spark: Boostlingo’s Human-First Approach to Scaling Localisation Talent

In today’s Localisation Talent landscape, where AI dominates headlines and efficiency often trumps nuance, something vital risks getting lost – the human spark. 

The old models of talent strategy can’t keep pace with the complexity, urgency, and global scale of what’s next. Enter Dieter Runge, Boostlingo’s co-founder and a true outlier. His career cuts across music, media, and mission-driven tech, all fueled by one core belief: language access isn’t a luxury – it’s the ignition point.

During the latest Elevate Talent session with Dave Ruane of Lion People Global, Dieter didn’t deliver a standard industry roadmap, he offered something more grounded: a blueprint for scaling teams with heart, clarity, and just the right amount of rebellion.

From Film Sets to Language Access: Dieter’s Unlikely Journey

Not many localization leaders start their careers filming punk bands. But for Dieter, “alternative music video and concert video world, film sets, independent film production, late-night editing rooms” weren’t just a phase, they were foundational.

“How good, clear communication can be empowering is important, and it’s important in all languages.” 

That core belief stayed with him through a journey that led from e-learning at Ireland’s Smartforce to language services, and ultimately to co-founding Boostlingo – a platform now powering critical interpreting services in healthcare, law, and enterprise.

What comes through most isn’t just experience, it’s intention. Dieter is focused on one thing: making language access seamless in the moments where it matters most.

Timing, Technology, and the Rise of Boostlingo

Success in tech often comes down to spotting the moment before it becomes obvious—and acting without hesitation. For Dieter, that moment came as interpreting technology was on the verge of transformation. Boostlingo emerged not because the industry was ready, but because he saw that it had to be.

“The opportunity to reinvent, disrupt – I guess democratize – the whole interpreting space was very attractive.” 

With real-time communication technologies maturing, the team seized their chance to build a platform where language access was instant, integrated, and inclusive. But what truly defines Boostlingo’s growth isn’t just technical agility; it’s a commitment to human impact, embedded in every connection their platform powers.

Trust Over Hype: Serving Where the Stakes Are Human

In industries where misunderstanding can cost lives or justice, Boostlingo’s brand voice stays clear and grounded.

“We serve hospitals, courts, enterprises… the common thread is human stakes.” 

Dieter isn’t cynical about AI, but he’s wary of hype drowning out responsibility.

“Clients want faster, cheaper, smarter – but also they don’t want to lose quality or trust. That’s a hard needle to thread.” 

That’s why Boostlingo is proudly human-first, AI-enabled. Automation improves speed and infrastructure, but interpreters remain the core, because empathy isn’t something you can generate with a prompt.

“Language access and ubiquity of language access by design – that’s what we’re trying to accomplish.” 

Watch the full session here: 

Scaling with Culture: Values That Actually Mean Something

When Boostlingo acquired Interpreter Intelligence and VoiceBox, in the middle of a global pandemic, they treated each move like adding a new member to a band.

“If the tones aren’t aligned… the whole song is off.”

That metaphor speaks volumes. Boostlingo’s culture isn’t abstract – it’s operational. Four core values drive every hire, every acquisition, and every Slack thread:

And it works. With >90% employee retention, rising ENPS scores, and three consecutive “Inc. Best Places to Work” wins, Boostlingo proves that scaling trust scales performance.

“You cannot be lip service to it… people know what fake is.”

Hiring for Fire: What Talent Looks Like in 2025

Not everyone walks into an interview with flawless credentials, and at Boostlingo, that’s not the point. Dieter isn’t looking for perfect. He’s looking for the fire.

“We’ve always appreciated people who ask better questions than they give answers.”

That fire might not come with a title or a resume line, but you’ll know it when it’s in the room. Whether it’s an engineer, DevOps lead, sales pro, or interpreter engagement manager, the goal is the same: find people who bring a unique spark, and give them space to burn bright. The unofficial mantra? Bring your whole weird, wonderful self – and please hit your deadlines.

Boostlingo doesn’t force people into boxes. They design around energy, potential, and mission alignment. That’s how roles like VP of Language Access came to life – because someone had the fire, and the company had the wisdom to make room for it.

“What’s your dream job? If it doesn’t exist, let’s create that.”

It’s a talent strategy that doesn’t just scale – it ignites. Built on trust, shaped by belief, and sustained by people who care enough to ask better questions and build better futures.

Leading Through the Noise: Staying Human in the AI Surge

As AI floods the industry, Boostlingo is taking a pragmatic stance. Dieter pegs 35 – 40% of what’s out there as real.

“The 35 to 40% that is real is really real. Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.”

That’s why they’ve created an AI advisory board, invested in UX research, and prioritized prompt engineering and real-time multilingual data analysis, but without abandoning what matters:

“We are bringing automation to our infrastructure layers, but we are keeping interpreters and service quality at the top layer.”

What keeps him up at night?

“That we’re building the tech faster than we’re building the trust.”

It’s a warning and a call to lead with ethics, not just innovation.

Watch previous Elevate Talent sessions here: 

Conclusion: Tech Evolves, People Endure

At Boostlingo, leadership isn’t just strategy; it’s storytelling, clarity, and culture lived out loud. It’s about keeping the original mission burning bright while navigating the complex crosswinds of rapid growth, global scale, and emerging tech.

“Success means everyone feels like they’re contributing to something meaningful… and that interpreters, partners, and clients feel seen, heard, and empowered.”

As the localization space barrels into a future shaped by automation, commoditization, and consolidation, the differentiator won’t be who has the flashiest tools. It’ll be who keeps their people at the center.

In an AI-driven world, it’s the human spark that will define who thrives, and Boostlingo is making sure it never goes out.