The Viking Code of Leadership

How Modern Leaders Should be Forging a New Culture of High-Performance Rooted in Values.

In a world that glorifies individual success, the modern Viking way offers a stark contrast. It embodies a model that unites the collective and the individual, values long-term sustainability over short-term gains, and grounds leadership in a deep sense of shared purpose. Norway, with its history steeped in Viking traditions, is emerging as a leader in this global shift. It’s no longer about conquest; it’s about collaboration, resilience, and leading with values.

Contemporary Norwegian leaders such as Nicolai Tangen, Jens Stoltenberg, and Johan Brand exemplify this new ethos and prioritize values like likestilling (equality) and tillit (trust). These aren’t just buzzwords—they are principles that shape how leaders interact with their teams. By fostering a sense of equality, Norwegian leaders create environments where everyone feels their contribution is important. Trust is equally crucial—without it, innovation stalls, and risk-taking becomes impossible. Leaders empower their teams by trusting them to make decisions, which, in turn, builds a culture of ownership and accountability. They offer compelling examples of how this unique leadership culture can shape not only businesses but also global movements.

Leading with Transparency and Vision

Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund—the largest in the world—exemplifies leadership that is both forward-thinking and deeply committed to transparency. His leadership philosophy aligns with Norway’s high standards of public accountability, demonstrating how trust and transparency function within a collective setting. Tangen has introduced significant reforms in the fund’s operations, ensuring it maintains ethical standards while securing long-term returns for future generations.

Despite his background as a hedge fund manager, which could have painted him as a traditional, profit-driven leader, Tangen focuses on embedding sustainability, ethics, and innovation into the fund’s strategy. He proves that financial success and ethical responsibility are not mutually exclusive. His recent push for the fund to adopt a stronger stance on climate issues, even amid corporate pressure, stands as an example of Norwegian leadership’s courage to prioritize global impact over immediate gain.

The Power of Consensus Leadership

Jens Stoltenberg, the former Norwegian Prime Minister who has just ended his term as Secretary General of NATO, and is now taking the Leadership Role at the Munich Security Conference embodies the Viking spirit of diplomacy and consensus. Known for his calm and pragmatic approach, Stoltenberg steered NATO through complex geopolitical waters by emphasizing collective security and cooperation.

His leadership during Norway’s financial crisis in the early 2000s is often cited as a model of crisis management. Instead of making top-down decisions, he fostered a culture of consensus, bringing together political factions and listening to a broad array of voices before acting. His ability to lead by building trust and cooperation, both domestically and on the world stage, is a direct reflection of the value-centered, egalitarian leadership that characterizes Norwegian leadership.

Stoltenberg’s rise in international politics mirrors Norway’s philosophy: global influence can be earned not by dominance but by trust, collaboration, and steadfast values.

Revolutionizing Learning through Play

Johan Brand, co-founder of Kahoot, the world’s largest game-based learning platform, represents a new kind of Viking spirit: one of creativity and transformation. Brand’s creation, Kahoot, has disrupted traditional education systems by making learning interactive and playful. It’s not just a product of innovation but a testament to Norway’s deep-rooted belief in education as a public good.

Brand’s vision goes beyond the classroom. He has consistently advocated for equal access to education, focusing on how technology can democratize learning. His ability to build a platform that blends fun with knowledge mirrors Norway’s balanced approach to leadership—where performance and well-being coexist. The company’s success on a global scale is a reflection of Norwegian values driving innovation that is not only profitable but socially impactful.

A New Kind of High Performance – Rooted in Values

At first glance, the idea of “high performance” might conjure images of relentless competition, long hours, and aggressive strategies. But in Norway, high performance has a different meaning. Here, it’s about creating the conditions for teams to thrive, where the well-being of individuals and collective success go hand in hand. Norway’s labor laws, which protect employees’ rights, are not barriers to productivity but are, in fact, pillars of it. When people feel valued, they produce better work. It’s that simple.

This is why Norwegian companies have some of the highest rates of productivity in the world. They’ve found the secret to success is not squeezing every ounce of energy from employees but rather ensuring they are engaged, motivated, and cared for.

From The Land of the Fjords to the Global Stage

In Norway, leadership is not about power, status, or position. It’s about values. And these values also draw from a long history of collective responsibility—values that have their origins all the way back to the barbarian forefathers. While Vikings were often portrayed as fierce warriors, they were also master navigators, traders, and community builders. They understood that the strength of a group came from its cohesion, and this belief continues to influence Norwegian leadership today.

Norway’s model of leadership – from Viking history to modern values – is more than a Scandinavian phenomenon—it’s a blueprint for the future of leadership globally. Leaders like Nicolai Tangen, Jens Stoltenberg, and Johan Brand demonstrate how these principles can succeed on the world stage, inspiring leaders from all walks of life. In a time when businesses are increasingly called upon to be transparent, sustainable, and equitable, Norwegian leaders are showing how these values are not only good for society but also for business.

The Viking way of leadership teaches us that strength doesn’t come from domination but from collaboration. It reminds us that true power lies in lifting others up, not keeping them down.

As the world continues to grapple with uncertainty, it’s time we look north for inspiration. Modern Norwegian leaders are showing that when we lead with values, we not only build high-performing teams, but we also create organizations—and societies—that thrive.

Here are seven characteristics of modern Norwegian leadership that set it apart and can serve as inspiration for leaders globally:

Characteristics of Viking Leadership in the Modern World

1. Flat Hierarchies: Instead of top-down decision-making, Norwegian leaders foster collaborative environments where every team member feels valued and heard.
2. The Power of DUGNAD: Collectivism and Individualism: Leadership in Norway is not about the sole focus of glorifying one person at the top. Dugnad, a Norwegian concept of community cooperation, embodies this spirit. Leaders act as facilitators of team success rather than focusing on personal achievement. If everyone around the leader performs better, the leader grows as well—a modern reinforcement learning model that emphasizes collective advancement.
3. Trust-Based Leadership: Scandinavian leaders don’t micromanage. They trust themselves and, therefore, can let go and trust their teams to do what’s right. This trust empowers employees to take initiative and think creatively.
4. Microambitions: Instead of micromanagement, modern Vikings enable microambitions. Employees are taught to value experienced incremental progress that accumulates into a larger goal—as an outcome of a collective process.
5. Embracing Equality: Gender equality is a key feature of Norwegian leadership. With some of the highest rates of female representation in leadership globally, Norway proves that inclusivity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage.
6. Efficiency Focus: Norwegian companies are global leaders in measurable sustainable business practices. Leaders like Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, recognize that ecological sustainability results from resource efficiency. This demonstrates that climate considerations are not merely ideological but integral to a holistic growth path within the economy, showing that long-term value comes from protecting not only profit but also people and the planet.
7. Value-Driven Performance: Performance is not just about numbers; it’s about aligning actions with core values. Norwegian leaders recognise the necessity of technological progress while simultaneously emphasising the importance of human development.