Steve Jobs: Innovative or Creative?

The difference between creativity and innovation is rather subtle. Indeed, the two words have in the past been used interchangeably. To determine whether Steve Jobs was innovative or creative, we would first have to define the two terms and highlight what each entails.

Creativity, as I have pointed out above is most times associated with innovation. In the words of Clegg (2009, p. 2), "from the origins of the words themselves, innovation would seem to be about newness, while creativity is about bringing something into being." Although it appears rather difficult to firmly put Steve Jobs in either category, upon closer analysis of his life and times, one would say that Jobs was more innovative than creative.

To begin with, in addition to seeking problems, innovators, according to McKenna (p. 237), "derive a challenge from seeking new and possibly unexpected solutions." Most of the products...
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