The Manchester United boss focused on creating a positive atmosphere at Old Trafford and planning for the future rather than dwelling on the past when he replaced Jose Mourinho in December.
His first job was to restore his shattered United stars' self-belief.
Solskjaer, whose squad was pictured arriving at training on Monday, told NBC Sports: "The first thing we did was have a meeting about the players and set the expectations, where they should be.
"Because they are in that dressing room for a reason. Never, ever forget they are Man United players wearing this badge, and to be signed for Man United you have got to be something special.
"Maybe some of them had lost that part of Man United because when you are not successful, it might be easy to doubt yourself, that is human nature.
"We felt [the need to] install this to them. They started to sit up straighter, and it is like they started remembering why they signed for Man United. And we just put the demands on them: 'It is up to you to show it'."
United's players certainly have shown what they are capable of having gone unbeaten in the Premier League since Mourinho's final game in charge against Liverpool in mid-December.
The Red Devils have climbed into the top four and travel to Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, though face a huge battle to overhaul a 2-0 deficit.
Mourinho's public war with Pogba saw the Frenchman dropped after a number of poor performances this season.
But the £89million midfielder has been the key man in Solskjaer's revolution with nine goals in 15 games.
Solskjaer, who has shaken hands with Ed Woodward on becoming United's permanent boss, revealed: "The first thing I said to Pogba was I congratulated him on the World Cup and said, 'Paul, fantastic, I am so happy for you. I coached a World Cup winner, so that is great.'
"But then I said: 'Now it's Man United, so let's get you playing. Let the past be the past and let's look forward.'
"We had to make sure we perform to the standards we expect and don't dwell too much on the past.
"He has been good so far and the whole team has been very good, so we have responded really well."
Solskjaer first chatted with Rashford during United's 1-0 Champions League win over Young Boys in November.
The striker has replaced Romelu Lukaku as the main man in attack and is thriving under Solskjaer's tutelage.
Solskjaer said: "I actually met Marcus by coincidence when we won against the Young Boys.
"I spoke to him in the corridor after the game; he had two or three decent chances and I told him 'you are snatching at things, settle down, relax and you will be fine.'
"A month later I am working with him. You reiterate what you said: 'Calm down son. You will be fine, because you are getting into the good positions. Too many chances are missed when you stress. As a striker you have more time than you think you know.
"He started off with a free-kick and after three minutes he scores [against Cardiff], so that is a great start for us as a partnership."
Lindelof was another player who needed an arm around the shoulder after falling out of favour under Mourinho.
The Swede has become the linchpin in United's defence after some choice words from Solskjaer.
Solskjaer reckons their Scandinavian link was a huge factor in motivating the centre-back.
The United manager said: "I cannot talk about what the tactics were, but I told him: 'Viktor one of your strengths is to carry the ball out from the back, pass the ball properly,' and he has been allowed to do that.
"We have had a back-four, and different partnerships and it has been difficult.
"I have sat down with him with my Norwegian and him Sweden, it is nice to get that connection that we can speak our own language. Sometimes I feel that makes him more comfortable.
"Viktor is a fantastic boy. He is going to have a baby soon. He is going to be a man and he is maturing.
"It is not easy coming to England, and Man United is a different level with different demands on your shoulders. Everything is scrutinised but he's had a great mentor in Zlatan. Zlatan has helped him so much with his mentality.
"Sometimes it takes time. Victor has had a tough time to start with, and now he has really come good.
"I have not done anything different to what I did to everyone else, just sit down and speak to him and try to get to know him."
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