The Viking Code

3Success Is Voluntary; Talent Can Be Found Everywhere

SINCE THE DAYS when Vikings ventured onto the vast, seemingly endless sea, believing the world was flat, coastal Norwegians have possessed a unique spark. We often romanticize islanders for their zest for life, their dances, and their songs. But what of those who dwelt by the rugged coastlines?

For those residing along Norway's extensive 100,915 kilometers (62,705 miles) of coast, a consistent principle has resonated throughout generations: work hard, forge alliances, and thrive. While the “frozen” inlanders faced their own set of challenges, the tales of the coastal inhabitants tell a distinct narrative.

Our ancestors crafted boats. But not just any boats—they built open vessels that braved the unknown. Their adventurous spirit recognized no limits. They weren't deterred by setbacks; indeed, they failed, therefore they succeeded.

Take the story of Naddodd, a refugee Norseman, who set sail for the Faroe Islands, only to find himself lost on the shores of what we now recognize as Iceland. In his quest for signs of life, he climbed a mountain searching for fire. Finding none, he left. As snow began to fall during his journey home, he christened the place Snæland, or Snowland. Through sheer serendipity, he discovered a new land.

He was like Leif “The Lucky One” Erikson, who half a millennium before Columbus, might have been the first European to step onto American shores. One can almost hear the exchanges among his crew, a ...