Society often views creativity in the form of something that hangs on the wall, is strategically placed in an entry way, or soothes your ears after a long day. And while I agree that these things are creative (after all, who isn’t impressed by the ability to bring an image to life with only pen and paper?), I also believe there is a type of creativity that is often overlooked, not only by the user, but by the creator as well. This creativity comes from the entrepreneurial spirit and is responsible for countless businesses, products, and jobs all around the world. In some ways, this might be the most important creativity of all.

Ironically, I don’t know many business people who would respond with a resounding “You bet!” when asked if they consider themselves creative. And they probably wouldn’t consider it when they continue on to tell me about how they were recently creative with financing a new growing sector of their company.

Why is this? Have we forgotten that doing business isn’t just what we learn from books in school?

Business is so much more than that. It requires efforts that often require passion, hard work, and most importantly creativity. Take a close look at yourself and think about when you had your best business moment to date. Got it?  Good! Now see how creative you are? Your success was driven in part by the creativeness of your idea which differentiated it and made it better than the rest.

My Grandmother used her creativity to make art for our walls. But those painting genes certainly didn’t stick with me. Instead, my creativity is expressed in the form of business. It feels natural, probably what my Grandmother experiences when holding a paint brush.