Creativity vs Innovation

Definitions and semantics are always tricky, especially when people use one word to describe a complex process or use two very different words to confusingly describe the same thing. This is the dilemma in which we find ourselves with the subjects of innovation and creativity. Some people use the two words interchangeably.

Edward De Bono (who first coined the phrase ‘lateral thinking’) defines creativity as “doing something in a better way, or doing something better”. This is in fact a description of innovation, sorry Edward. Painting a portrait is a creative act, but it has nothing to do with being better than anything. It could even be a lousy portrait, but it’s manifestation was still a product of creativity.

Innovation is applied creativity where an application of creativity solves a problem or improves a situation. (ie. makes it ‘better’). Innovation is to creativity what The World Cup is to Rugby.

So what’s an invention? An invention is the discrete, stand-alone product of innovation. It’s the invention that you can patent and protect. It is the invention that continues to supply the innovation.

So what’s creativity? My definition has always been that creativity is the act of using your perception to notice something in the universe, make a decision about what to do about it and then take action based on that decision. It takes into account that creativity is a process that is both intuitive and deliberate. It is not something we do by accident although we can get unexpected outcomes from our actions. Creativity could be defined as an act that produces an idea or artifact that has value.