Creativity is the ability to produce something original and useful. It is not limited to artists. Engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs are creative too. The key is novelty plus value. A random doodle is not creative if it means nothing. A new way to organize a warehouse is creative if it saves time and money.

Myths about creativity abound. It is not a magical gift. It is a skill that can be practiced. Brainstorming, freewriting, and exposing yourself to diverse ideas all help. Constraints often boost creativity rather than stifle it. A poet working within a sonnet form may produce more than one staring at a blank page.

Education systems sometimes neglect creativity in favor of standardized testing. But employers consistently rank creativity among the most sought-after skills. The challenge is teaching it without turning it into a formula. Creativity needs both freedom and discipline, both play and work.

Ways to foster it

• Ask open-ended questions
• Encourage risk-taking without punishment
• Expose students to diverse fields
• Provide time for exploration
• Model creative thinking yourself