Norsemen is the name of the people of the areas which today are Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and northern Germany. The real term used was just Norse (no Norse people ever called themself a "viking", also the helmet with the two horns is only fiction). They were interested in colonizing new areas towards the East and West. In the year 1005 they sailed to America. They were never much interested in becoming the ruling force. They had a high respect of women and the elderly, and many females had high positions and were very influential (Freydis - see Norse Saga). They were interested in good education.
On a Norse ship ("viking ship"), there was one captain (chief), elected from the crew: the strongest, smartest, wisest, once wildest, with lots of experience, lots of friends and political supporters, with fame on many oceans and shores, with all authority. In moments of danger and in battle he made the decisions and strategy, all crew followed without any questioning. In times of peace they stood in the back. All younger warriors were allowed to challenge and question the chief in the time between wars. All trusted him and he backed all to the outside.
If the majority of the crew asks him to step down he does so and falls back to the role as advisor and teacher.
Many companies of modern Norse countries are operated in the same way as the wooden ships, and some world-leading businesses evolved (Nokia, IKEA, Ericsson, Maersk) - again influencing, navigating, moving, communicating and educating on global scales.
For more information see viking.