Everything new starts with a creative idea!  Creativity is the inspiration and the seed of innovation. Creative folks like us are often thought of as “not business-like.” We are thought of as being different, flakey, out of the box, uncontrollable, and worst of all, dreamers. 

“Well sir, those are some of the reasons we are creative. We are different in some ways; we are unique, we often think differently, we are often not concerned with the same things others are concerned with. We are creative!” 

That’s why we do things differently, sometimes to shake things up. Due to our nature, temperament, learning styles, or adaptations we put ourselves in new spaces. This new perspective gives us a huge advantage.  We can often see what others can’t. We find it easier to connect the dots to imagine new solutions, new ideas, and even new products.

        Creative people often devalue themselves because the business world devalues them. “Oh, all you have are ideas.  Show me the numbers. How much will it cost?  What’s my return on investment, your creative way about you drives me crazy?” In his business world much is reduced to dollars and cents. That’s his reality of it. 

There is no arguing that fiscal responsibility is crucial. That does not mean that the creative spark that imagined it all isn’t equally valuable. Creativity should have an equal seat at the table. After all, if you look at the evolution of ideas, creativity fuels innovation, innovation fuels development, development fuels productivity, productivity fuels jobs, and sales, and the whole dang economic engine.

Creativity sets this whole great chain of events into motion.  Creativity is the source from which everything flows. The next time someone tries to devalue your creative contribution make sure you stand up and value yourself. Advocate for acknowledgment and your piece of the pie. You deserve it!