The Unique Ability Podcast Status Quo Is Death: Erik “The Viking” Solbakken on Unique Ability
Erik “The Viking” Solbakken joins Julia Waller for a real conversation about what happens when your Unique Ability becomes laser focused—and why that clarity creates energy, alignment, and freedom. Erik shares how the deep dive helped him reframe his past as raw material, stop “polishing the turd” of status quo thinking, and use frustration as a signal to find the right people on the right frequency.
Takeaways
Your Unique Ability can feel “more concentrated” than what personality tools suggest—deep clarity creates real energy.
Frustration can be a signal: either your mindset is off, or you’re not with the right people/audience.
“Status quo is death” is a wake-up call to stop staying where your creativity is “tucked away and dying.”
Reframing your past turns “what happened” into usable raw material for the future.
The clearer you are, the easier it gets to say no—often “no more than yes.”
Key Timestamps
00:03:33 — “Laser focused” clarity from the deep dive; energy it creates.
00:40:05 — Leaving the system; freedom to be valued for who you are.
00:41:28 — “Status quo is death.”
00:47:38 — The “Technicolor” finished-product vision (and frustration).
00:51:30 — Different “frequencies” + alignment in communication.
01:01:17 — Erik’s encouragement: if you’re unsure, do the deep dive.
Notable Resources
Unique Ability® 2.0: Discovery book & workbook: https://uniqueability.com/the-book/
Unique Ability Book Club Guide: https://www.strategiccoach.com/resources/guides/unique-ability-20-discovery-book-club-discussion-guide
Kolbe Index: www.kolbe.com
CliftonStrengths® 34: www.gallup.com
PRINT® Survey: www.paulhertzgroup.com
Viking Academy (Erik’s podcast/platform he created after the deep dive): https://www.vikingacademy.com/
You can see Erik’s full Unique Ability Best Habits here
PRINT® Survey Special Offer via Strategic Coach:
REGISTRATION LINK: www.PrintSurvey.com/specialoffer
ACCESS CODE: P8768
Erik’s Unique Ability: My Unique Ability® is a creative process:
I break people free from the oppression that’s holding them back so they can recover the joy of living and experience freedom to creatively express themselves.
I do this by seeing the connectivity of all things and delivering a solution using my Viking intensity and abundant playful energy.
Kolbe: 6473
CliftonStrengths: Strategic, Achiever, Futuristic, Maximizer, Relator
PRINT: 1-3 Medium For things to be perfect, correct, and right/To succeed and achieve
Ready to begin discovering your own Unique Ability? Go through the Unique Ability Discovery Process using our Unique Ability 2.0 book and accompanying workbook. Download your free Unique Ability® Beginner’s Guide at www.uniqueability.com or if you’re a successful, ambitious entrepreneur, visit www.strategiccoach.com.
The Unique Ability® Podcast explores the power of living and working in your Unique Ability®—what you love to do, do best, and feel most energized by. Hosted by Julia Waller and built around the cornerstone concept developed at Strategic Coach®, each episode features real stories, practical insights, and conversations that help you align your work, relationships, and life with what’s most natural and fulfilling for you.
Real Stories, Real Magic.
🎵 Music Credits
The intro and outro music for The Unique Ability® Podcast comes from “Outside In” by Paitra Walker, an independent musician, singer-songwriter, and creative collaborator whose eclectic sound deeply resonated with us. This song holds a special personal connection and reflects the heart of what this podcast is about.
Explore more of Paitra’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Music used with permission. All rights reserved to the original creator.