| 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.
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